Date: 5/12/26 6:58 am From: eBird alert via groups.io <alert.ebird...> Subject: [slocobirding] [eBird Alert] San Luis Obispo County Rare Bird Alert
*** Species Summary:
- Redhead (2 reports)
- Elegant Tern (1 report)
---------------------------------------------
Thank you for subscribing to the <daily> San Luis Obispo County Rare Bird Alert. The report below shows observations of rare birds in San Luis Obispo County. View or unsubscribe to this alert at https://ebird.org/alert/summary?sid=SN36231 NOTE: all sightings are UNCONFIRMED unless indicated.
eBird encourages safe, responsible birding. Some reports may be from private property. Respect access restrictions and follow the rules wherever you bird. For more information, visit the eBird and Merlin Community Guidelines: https://ebird.org/community-guidelines. Stay connected to the global birding community with eBird Updates: https://mailchi.mp/cornell/ebird-updates-sign-up-page.
05/11/26 Reef Comer asked me for more details; thank you Reef. I knew better, as this is an out-of-season but possible species. I only wrote "Lucky me" in my eBird initial report. Added info:
When I saw this bird, it was close. That it was a tern was absolutely clear. I should have mentioned I saw its yellow-orange bill clearly. Knowing I could have been incorrect in calling this an Elegant Tern (because they are not usually here for another month), I thought of Caspian Tern (most common now) or Royal Tern (most have gone, so also an out-of-season species) which are the only other yellow-billed terns.
I ruled out Caspian Tern because the overall bird was smaller, less stocky, muchsmaller-headed, and did not have the thick relatively massive bill.
That narrowed down my choice to be Royal or Elegant. Tough choice because both are possible now but both are out-of-season now. I chose Elegant because this bird just felt small (but not tiny like Least) -- smaller than Caspian Tern for sure and, although I haven't seen Royal Terns in recent years, I did think in the field this was an odd tern because it's overall body size was "small". I looked up the sizes when I got back to my car, and noted sizes of 21"(Caspian), 20"(Royal), and 17"(Elegant).
What helped me call it Elegant was also the fact that in my 10-second field close flyby view, I noticed the bill was slight (my mind's comment) and more yellow than orange. I discounted color (optics, easy to be fooled by lighting even at this close distance). But looking at Sibley 2nd Ed page 226 in entire U.S. book, the bill looked more like Sibley's drawing intention. (NOTE, however today when I look at page 227 "Bill Details" I feel less confident in being able to distinguish between the two drawings.
Bottom line, I would still report it today as an Elegant Tern. I knew it was an out-of-season species, but its yellow bill made it one of 3 species. Not Caspian due to size, and I knew that in the field. I knew to look at all the field marks. I looked in detail at the head (black on top of head) and bill (yellow, slender, short). I knew there was no time for phone-camera photo, so I studied it the best I could. I knew I was lucky to see this type of tern.
Additionally, I did check eBird recent sightings on May 6 when I observed this individual. I saw (excellent photos) of both Elegant and Royal seen at Avila on 26 April (10 days earlier). I could waffle and call it Elegant/Royal Tern today May 11, but I am not comfortable second-guessing myself at this late date knowing I reported more accurately my impression in eBird on that day. Thanks though to Reef (who I haven't met personally but of whom I know) for questioning this report. Much appreciated."
***********
You received this message because you are subscribed to eBird's San Luis Obispo County Rare Bird Alert
eBird Alerts provide recent reports of regionally or seasonally rare species (Rarities Alerts) or species you have not yet observed (Needs Alerts) in your region of interest; both Accepted and Unreviewed observations are included. Some reports may be from private property or inaccessible to the general public. It is the responsibility of every eBirder to be aware of and respectful of access restrictions. For more information, see our Terms of Use: https://www.birds.cornell.edu/home/terms-of-use/
