Date: 8/17/26 8:15 pm From: eBird alert via groups.io <alert.ebird...> Subject: [slocobirding] [eBird Alert] San Luis Obispo County Rare Bird Alert
*** Species Summary:
- Ring-necked Duck (1 report)
- King Eider (1 report)
- Black Tern (8 reports)
- California Condor (1 report)
- Orange-crowned Warbler (sordida) (1 report)
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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.
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Black Tern (Chlidonias niger) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Aug 17, 2026 14:52 by Ben Kolstad
- Cayucos Pier, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.9069453&<ll...>,-120.9069453 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S384493225 - Media: 2 Photos
- Comments: "Reported earlier today by Kathi Marston. Very cooperative bird, hunting right next to the pier in a fierce wind for several long minutes. Black wings above, more black on face than nearby Forsters. Quite small, too. Pictures tk"
Black Tern (Chlidonias niger) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Aug 17, 2026 12:43 by Michael Moss
- Cayucos Pier, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.9069453&<ll...>,-120.9069453 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S384498965 - Media: 4 Photos
- Comments: "Continuing found by Kathi Martson great views with many of the fellow bird community present small tern buoyant light flight observed from end of and sides of pier adult basic molting plumage pics tba"
Black Tern (Chlidonias niger) (1)
- Reported Aug 17, 2026 12:33 by Andrew Fleming
- Cayucos Pier, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.9069453&<ll...>,-120.9069453 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S384520689 - Comments: "Flying all around the pier. Got great views as it flew nearby several times and kept coming back for more. Found here earlier by Kathi Marston. Seen with Herb, Mike, Reef, and many others who have photos. Seems to be the same individual reported recently at Morro Strand. Molting non breeding adult. Much smaller than the Foresters and elegant terns in the area, with faster more constant wingbeats. White body with partial black cap, shoulders, and bill. Back, and upper wings were dark grey."
Black Tern (Chlidonias niger) (1)
- Reported Aug 17, 2026 12:25 by marlin harms
- Cayucos Pier, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.9069453&<ll...>,-120.9069453 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S384518869 - Media: 4 Photos
- Comments: "This bird was pointed out to me from the end of the pier after it had been found earlier by Kathi Marston. This tern was much smaller, faster and darker than the many nearby Elegant Terns. It seemed to fly around on one side of the pier, sometimes at a distance, then go around the end of the pier as it flew around the other side. While I watched it off-and-on I did not see it dive."
Black Tern (Chlidonias niger) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Aug 17, 2026 11:53 by Reef Comer
- Cayucos Pier, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.9069453&<ll...>,-120.9069453 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S384505791 - Comments: "Found by Kathi Marston. Very small, broad winged and short-tailed tern with dark gray upperside, white underside, mostly gray underwing, white nape, and dark “helmet.” Put on a fantastic show for everyone as it flew back and forth on both sides of the pier, often not far from the railing! Possibly the same bird that was on the strand a few days ago, pending photo review."
California Condor (Gymnogyps californianus) (3)
- Reported Aug 17, 2026 15:42 by Cika Cook
- 8949–9765 Green Valley Rd, Cambria US-CA 35.54263, -120.90126, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.901259&<ll...>,-120.901259 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S384500394 - Comments: "My first condors! Nearly cried. Wide wing spans, unmistakably large. gal next to me for photos. Can send once received. Wing bars looked blotchy, was far away but most likely juveniles."
Orange-crowned Warbler (sordida) (Leiothlypis celata sordida) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Aug 13, 2026 08:47 by Jude Clement
- Pismo SB--Oceano Campground, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.6265268&<ll...>,-120.6265268 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S384441112 - Comments: "*Expected. One bird was seen briefly but well with a flock in the canopy on the Norswing drive side south of the main entrance. This was a large, very dull Orange-crowned that was overall a dull olive color, with a large thick-based bill, dark eye, greener upper and slightly paler lower eye arcs, a large head with a faint veiled/hooded appearance, a streaked breast almost appearing vested, dull legs and feet, a relatively slim build and medium-length tail, and strongly and extensively streaked undertail coverts. This bird was silent. We were not able to photograph this bird unfortunately."
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