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Thank you for subscribing to the <daily> Santa Barbara County Rare Bird Alert. The report below shows observations of rare birds in Santa Barbara County. View or unsubscribe to this alert at https://ebird.org/alert/summary?sid=SN35915 NOTE: all sightings are UNCONFIRMED unless indicated.
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Lewis's Woodpecker (Melanerpes lewis) (2)
- Reported Sep 19, 2026 06:30 by Mario Ramos
- La Cumbre Peak, Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-119.7147721&<ll...>,-119.7147721 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S394338279 - Comments: "observed flying at a distance. Despite being far away, the bird’s distinctive dark greenish-black back, gray collar, and salmon-colored belly were visible and allowed for confident identification."
Yellow-green Vireo (Vireo flavoviridis) (1)
- Reported Sep 19, 2026 10:28 by Mark Holmgren
- Glen Annie X Cathedral Oaks, Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-119.875438&<ll...>,-119.875438 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S394374605 - Media: 2 Photos
- Comments: "Vireo feet! Pale yellow ventral midline with bright yellow sides and flanks. Back and wings yellow-green. Crown gray with dark line bordering a white supercilium. Forecrown at bill slightly yellow-gray. Dark line through the eye. Seen while standing at 34.44113, -119.87535"
Pinyon Jay (Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus) (8)
- Reported Sep 19, 2026 12:37 by Ryan Seppala
- E Camino Cielo, Santa Barbara US-CA 34.50157, -119.72351, Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-119.723507&<ll...>,-119.723507 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S394361865 - Comments: "Eight is the max count I’m comfortable with, though there could have been several more. I heard a jumble of shaky, nasal “yaah” calls from down the slope south of the road. I ran down to E Camino Cielo and tried to get visuals but unfortunately the birds were either obstructed by the slope or too distant. The vocals seemed to be diminishing in a W/SW direction, so I drove that way and pulled over several times to listen, but without luck."
Pinyon Jay (Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus) (38) CONFIRMED
- Reported Sep 18, 2026 07:57 by Pete Wolf
- Lake Los Carneros Park, Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-119.84975&<ll...>,-119.84975 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S394025757 - Media: 1 Photo
- Comments: "Flying from NE side of park to the West - over Stow House at 9:46 am. "Jay" sized - gray w/slight blue "highlights". 34.44430540360319, -119.85057088279743"
Clark's Nutcracker (Nucifraga columbiana) (120)
- Reported Sep 19, 2026 06:30 by Mario Ramos
- La Cumbre Peak, Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-119.7147721&<ll...>,-119.7147721 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S394338279 - Media: 1 Photo
- Comments: "Over 100 observed in multiple flocks flying in from the east and moving westward through the area. Some landed in nearby trees, providing good looks. Large gray-bodied, contrasting white wing patches, and long, pointed bills. Tail showed black-and-white patterning. Several individuals were heard giving calls while in flight and after landing."
Clark's Nutcracker (Nucifraga columbiana) (183) CONFIRMED
- Reported Sep 18, 2026 09:18 by Ryan Seppala
- La Cumbre Peak, Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-119.7147721&<ll...>,-119.7147721 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S394019055 - Comments: "Slightly conservative count. The bulk were viewed before 10:30 am, after which numbers dwindled. The last sighting was of 12 birds at 1:25 pm. Counting birds viewed before I arrived, the day’s total up until ~1:45 pm was about 400."
Clark's Nutcracker (Nucifraga columbiana) (350) CONFIRMED
- Reported Sep 18, 2026 07:19 by Philip Zeng
- La Cumbre Peak, Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-119.7147721&<ll...>,-119.7147721 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S394023776 - Media: 2 Photos
- Comments: "gray birds with black and wing wings. flew by 8:15. huge flock of 97 at 8:36. 11 more landed in tree around 8:40. 79 at 8:50. 70 at 9:00. 50 at 9:05. 3 in valley 9:07. 35 9:16. 4 landed in tree 9:25."
Clark's Nutcracker (Nucifraga columbiana) (4) CONFIRMED
- Reported Sep 18, 2026 12:48 by Will Knowlton
- Los Padres NF--Pino Alto Picnic Area, Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-119.98165&<ll...>,-119.98165 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S394082791 - Media: 2 Photos
- Comments: "Large gray jay with black wings, white vent, and white outer tail feathers. Digi-binned photos of one. All observed together."
Evening Grosbeak (Hesperiphona vespertina) (1)
- Reported Sep 19, 2026 08:55 by Ryan Seppala
- La Cumbre Peak, Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-119.7147721&<ll...>,-119.7147721 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S394371778 - Comments: "One bird appeared around 9:42 am and visited a snag seen from the overlook. Repeatedly made soft “teww” calls. Physical characteristics included black wings with white wing patches, a gray rump/mantle, pale belly, white undertail coverts, and a largely nondescript gray face with a thick, lightly colored bill. The tail was rather short. Features suggest this was a female bird."
Evening Grosbeak (Hesperiphona vespertina) (1)
- Reported Sep 19, 2026 06:30 by Mario Ramos
- La Cumbre Peak, Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-119.7147721&<ll...>,-119.7147721 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S394338279 - Media: 1 Photo
- Comments: "Observed perched in a distant tree and identified by multiple birders present. The bird showed the large, thick, pale conical bill, bright yellow body, black head, and bold white patches in the wings and tail characteristic of Evening Grosbeak. The massive bill and overall stocky structure helped distinguish it from Black-headed Grosbeak, which has a smaller, more slender bill and lacks the Evening Grosbeak’s bold white wing patches. Photos were taken but are heavily cropped due to the distance."
Cassin's Finch (Haemorhous cassinii) (16)
- Reported Sep 19, 2026 08:55 by Ryan Seppala
- La Cumbre Peak, Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-119.7147721&<ll...>,-119.7147721 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S394371778 - Comments: "Up to 17 including those seen by others. There was an initial flock of 3, another heard near the peak proper, and then a flock of 12 around 11:30 am that was also noted by the likes of Nick Lethaby and Dave Compton. Birds photographed feature faint eyerings, straight bills, and generally high contrast. Calls were jumbled, stunted series of warbles."
Tennessee Warbler (Leiothlypis peregrina) (1)
- Reported Sep 19, 2026 11:10 by Paul Hughes
- 7402 - 7418 Hollister Ave (Tech Park), Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-119.8908561&<ll...>,-119.8908561 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S394335837 - Comments: "Active warbler, distinguished from orange crowned by pale yellow almost whitish breast and underparts contrasting with the yellow green back. Noticeable line through the eye."
Tennessee Warbler (Leiothlypis peregrina) (1)
- Reported Sep 15, 2026 17:07 by Yixin L
- Evergreen Open Space, Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-119.8909131&<ll...>,-119.8909131 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S393280739 - Media: 1 Photo
- Comments: "Yellow warbler with white tail coverts, faint white eye ring, vaguely greenish back. Identified by Dave on iNaturalist from my photo uploaded as New World Warblers, thanks Dave."
Lucy's Warbler (Leiothlypis luciae) (1)
- Reported Sep 19, 2026 12:03 by Eunice Schroeder
- 7402 - 7418 Hollister Ave (Tech Park), Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-119.8908561&<ll...>,-119.8908561 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S394357578 - Comments: "Seen with other birders in central rear area of western lot. Small plain warbler, all whitish below with faintly buffy-tinged underparts, gray uppers, plain face with faint white eyeing."
American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla) (1)
- Reported Sep 18, 2026 09:49 by Dan Fontaine
- Arroyo Burro Creek, Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-119.7503543&<ll...>,-119.7503543 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S394040873 - Comments: "Adult male at 34.42904, -119.75157. This is far upcreek north of the Calle de los Amigos bridge over the creek. Both Dan and I saw the bird for more than 5 min. Orange spots on black tail often spread with the enthusiasm and frequency of a display. Orange bar on black wing. Head black."
American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla) (1)
- Reported Sep 18, 2026 09:49 by Mark Holmgren
- Arroyo Burro Creek, Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-119.7503543&<ll...>,-119.7503543 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S394031708 - Comments: "Adult male at 34.42904, -119.75157. This is far upcreek north of the Calle de los Amigos bridge over the creek. Both Dan and I saw the bird for more than 5 min. Orange spots on black tail often spread with the enthusiasm and frequency of a display. Orange bar on black wing. Head black."
American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Sep 18, 2026 17:19 by David Blue
- Business Park at Mentor Dr. (restricted access), Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-119.8124367&<ll...>,-119.8124367 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S394091191 - Comments: "Continuing bird. Foraging in the trees north of 5383 Hollister. Female/immature-type bird. Gray above, white below, yellow patches on wings and base of tail. Very active; frequently fanning its tail."
American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Sep 18, 2026 17:19 by Linda Blue
- Business Park at Mentor Dr. (restricted access), Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-119.8124367&<ll...>,-119.8124367 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S394091192 - Comments: "Continuing bird. Foraging in the trees north of 5383 Hollister. Female/immature-type bird. Gray above, white below, yellow patches on wings and base of tail. Very active; frequently fanning its tail."
American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Sep 18, 2026 15:35 by Noah Gaines
- Business Park at Mentor Dr. (restricted access), Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-119.8124367&<ll...>,-119.8124367 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S394048778 - Comments: "Cont young bird from earlier. Seen twice near the middle of the lot. Gray head. Yellow wash in breast. Yellow at base of tail. Flicking tail and wings constantly. Easy to find and refund."
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