Date: 8/19/26 11:43 pm From: eBird alert via groups.io <alert.ebird...> Subject: [slocobirding] [eBird Alert] San Luis Obispo County Rare Bird Alert
*** Species Summary:
- Common Gallinule (1 report)
- American Oystercatcher (1 report)
- Solitary Sandpiper (1 report)
- Black Tern (10 reports)
- 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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Common Gallinule (Gallinula galeata) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Aug 19, 2026 14:08 by Jay Carroll
- Laguna Lake, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.6903817&<ll...>,-120.6903817 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S385014984 - Media: 2 Photos
- Comments: "Gray head, neck and underparts blending to brown back and wings; white undertail patch; bill a yellowish brown darker at the base, and lacking red shield of an adult; photos."
Solitary Sandpiper (Tringa solitaria) (2) CONFIRMED
- Reported Aug 18, 2026 18:23 by Pair of Wing-Nuts
- Atascadero Wastewater Treatment Ponds--no internal access, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.6424508&<ll...>,-120.6424508 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S384865266 - Media: 4 Photos
- Comments: "Distant Tringa duo foraging in Basin #2 from the southeast fence line. These birds appeared slimmer and slightly smaller than the more stout Killdeer nearby. Although the distance made it difficult to assess all field marks, greenish legs, a dark carpal patch, dark wing line contrasting with all white underparts, dark tail, and buffy head and breast were noted, along with a medium-length, straight bill. A third unidentified bird was nearby and appeared approximately the same size and shape as the Solitary Sandpipers, but vegetation emerging along the water’s edge prevented clear views. Poor heavily cropped photos included."
Black Tern (Chlidonias niger) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Aug 19, 2026 17:44 by Terri Osborn
- 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/S385050801 - Media: 3 Photos
- Comments: "Continuing bird, flying and foraging on the south side of the pier. Tern is dark above, dark cap and eye patch, dark upper and lower wing, white below and around collar with black bill and feet. Found 8/17/2026 by K. Marston."
Black Tern (Chlidonias niger) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Aug 19, 2026 16:16 by Steven McMasters
- 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/S385044622 - Media: 5 Photos
- Comments: "Small tern with gray mantle, upper tail and crown; white underparts, collar, lower part of face, and forehead; black bill and patch behind eye. Bird flew with faster wingbeats than Forster’s and Elegant Terns, and only three times did we see it contact the water surface."
Black Tern (Chlidonias niger) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Aug 19, 2026 16:16 by Eric Wier
- 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/S385033016 - Media: 5 Photos
- Comments: "Small tern with gray mantle, upper tail and crown; white underparts, collar, lower part of face, and forehead; black bill and patch behind eye. Bird flew with faster wingbeats than Forster’s and Elegant Terns, and only three times did we see it contact the water surface."
Black Tern (Chlidonias niger) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Aug 19, 2026 09:43 by Doug Drynan
- 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/S384994779 - Media: 9 Photos
- Comments: "I assume this is the continuing bird that was first observed at this location by Kathi Marston on aug 17. I saw a small tern fly in from the west after I had been on the pier for a good 20 minutes. it seemed to have a more buoyant flight pattern and was fairly distinctive as it flew in amongst the other birds. It did seem to target pelicans and gulls as they nabbed fish, apparently hoping to get some leftovers. The back was covered in brownish gray feathers that gave it a mottled appearance. The underside was mostly white with a clean white belly and undertail coverts. Small forked tail. All black bill that was fairly straight. black legs and feet. Top of the head was dark brownish black. Two little spurs came down from the shoulder onto the upper breast."
Black Tern (Chlidonias niger) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Aug 19, 2026 03:11 by Grace Hayes
- 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/S385045340 - Comments: "Nonbreeding plumage with dark upper wings and back, black behind eyes but separated from eyes by white around the eye. Smaller than other terns present. Small black bill. Fast flight, never seen to go to the surface to fish during about 20 minutes of watching. Occasionally following other terns or pelicans with fish. Thanks to Tom Edell for spotting while was there!"
Black Tern (Chlidonias niger) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Aug 17, 2026 17:20 by Pair of Wing-Nuts
- 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/S385048935 - Media: 8 Photos
- Comments: "Continuing bird (Kathi Marston, 8/17/26) was observed foraging on both sides of the pier. This small tern was dwarfed even by the Forster’s Terns as it bounced in the wind with a buoyant flight style and rapid wingbeats. Despite remaining in flight for extended periods, the bird made only several feeding attempts.
At a distance, the bird appeared predominantly gray above, due in large part to its grayish-black upperwings, back, and dark crown. The underparts were white, except for two dark spurs on the sides of the neck that contrasted with a complete white neck collar. The bill was straight, black, and sharply pointed. The underwings were gray, as were the outer feathers of the slightly forked tail."
Orange-crowned Warbler (sordida) (Leiothlypis celata sordida) (2)
- Reported Aug 19, 2026 07:53 by Kilian Hampl
- Arroyo Grande Creek--Fair Oaks Ave Bridge, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.5872571&<ll...>,-120.5872571 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S384968542 - Media: 6 Audio
- Comments: "*Expected. Dull OCWAs with large bills and heads, brighter upper and paler lower eye arcs, vested appearance, strongly olive-streaked undertail (~50% olive), metallic chip and half-hearted/hesitant trilled song. Pics (Tba eventually) and audio."
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