Date: 5/19/26 6:12 pm From: Kaaren Perry via groups.io <surfbird1...> Subject: [slocobirding] Yellow-breasted Chat - Morro Bay yard
A Yellow-breasted Chat has been visiting our yard in Morro Bay for most of the day! Last seen here on Sept. 26, 2021. This species is uncommon in SLOCo but can be heard yet seldom seen seasonally, most in late April through May. The typical habitats of the YBCH are of ‘low growing dense vegetation, creek sides, swamps and pond edges.’ ( Birds of the World, Cornell)
It’s elusiveness is well known and that fact confirmed today once again by me as I glimpsed the bird several times but only once able to get any kind of id photo! It mostly was seen diving deep into our hedge, not to reappear, coming from another direction much later. I did manage to get a soft, through-the window photo this morning and after the many later misses have become satisfied with “soft”for id purposes.
Really a treat to have this species returning to our yard after 5 years!
