Date: 10/13/26 8:53 am From: eBird alert via groups.io <alert.ebird...> Subject: [slocobirding] [eBird Alert] San Luis Obispo County Rare Bird Alert
*** Species Summary:
- Bufflehead (1 report)
- Common Gallinule (1 report)
- American Bittern (2 reports)
- Red Crossbill (5 reports)
- Pine Siskin (green morph) (1 report)
- Lapland Longspur (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 Oct 12, 2026 09:05 by Tom Edell
- Whale Rock Reservoir--North End, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.8708239&<ll...>,-120.8708239 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S401817480 - Media: 2 Photos
- Comments: "Immature on southern side of Old Creek arm. This bird showed a pale yellow outer bill and a dull red inner bill, a white stripe on the flanks, and a white line on the outer undertail coverts. It had a brown back and held its primaries above the back while foraging. About the same size as the adjacent coots but slimmer and with a smaller head. Poor photos."
Red Crossbill (Loxia curvirostra) (12) CONFIRMED
- Reported Oct 12, 2026 12:15 by Andrew Fleming🦉
- Black Hill Flemming Loop, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.832963&<ll...>,-120.832963 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S401869285 - Comments: "Seen with Mike Moss and Ann Stockert. Found earlier today by Will Knowlton. We initially found a small flock of at least 7 individuals in a pine tree around here (35°21'48.40"N 120°49'56.00"W). They were surprisingly skulky and quiet while they foraged and fed on the pine cones. Took a while of watching to get good views between the foliage, and every once in a while they would all take off and move to another tree. Eventually they moved to a mostly dead tree where we could get good views. There were at least 2 red males and 3 yellow females in the group. As I was leaving the area, another group of 5 flew overhead from farther up the hill, making flight calls. Ann and Mike got photos. They were large stocky finches with crossed bills. Males were reddish orange on belly, head and back, females yellowish with more brown or streaked areas. Brown wings without wingbars. White underparts with brown streaking."
Red Crossbill (Loxia curvirostra) (7) CONFIRMED
- Reported Oct 12, 2026 12:39 by Michael Moss
- Morro Bay SP--Black Hill, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.8316064&<ll...>,-120.8316064 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S401863510 - Media: 5 Photos
- Comments: "Continuing found by Will Knowlton earlier somewhat cohesive group feeding on the pinecones on adjacent trees to each other, moving periodically, classic crossbill, male, immature and female plumage observed somewhat vocal light calls and singing notes pics tba"
Red Crossbill (Loxia curvirostra) (7) CONFIRMED
- Reported Oct 12, 2026 11:57 by Ann Stockert
- Morro Bay SP--Black Hill, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.8316064&<ll...>,-120.8316064 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S401883698 - Media: 7 Photos
- Comments: "First heard and then observed with Michael Moss and Andrew Fleming foraging in the tops of the conifers. Male is dark reddish with dark wings and the female is greenish with dark wings. Photos"
Lapland Longspur (Calcarius lapponicus) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Oct 12, 2026 10:40 by Jay Carroll
- Morro Bay Sandspit, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.8670158&<ll...>,-120.8670158 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S401825362 - Media: 4 Photos
- Comments: "A sparrow-like bird with streaky brown upperparts, blackish streaks on sides and breast, white underparts, and face with buffy auriculars outlined in black; rufous panel on wing coverts bordered above and below with white; the pink bill was conical in shape, and a weak eye ring was present; the bird was mostly preening when seen, and was situated on the upper beach area close to a flock of resting marbled godwits; it flushed along with the shorebirds when two equestrians came by; photos."
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