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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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Costa's Hummingbird (Calypte costae) (1)
- Reported Oct 18, 2026 12:23 by Cassidy Sutton
- 10100 Santa Ana Rd, Atascadero US-CA (35.4833,-120.6988), San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.698751&<ll...>,-120.698751 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S403607386 - Comments: "Shorter and rounder than the annas, distinctive purple, they have been identified in this location before and confirmed by a bird expert. Saw both annas and costa in this viewing session."
Mountain Plover (Anarhynchus montanus) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Oct 18, 2026 15:52 by Mike Bush
- Villa Creek--Estero Bluffs State Park, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.9688341&<ll...>,-120.9688341 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S403618363 - Media: 3 Photos
- Comments: "Mostly upright posture much larger than nearby Snowy Plovers & Sanderlings. Pale tan buffy color with a buff band lower chest. Thanks to Mike Moss for getting me on the bird."
Mountain Plover (Anarhynchus montanus) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Oct 18, 2026 15:28 by Michael Moss
- Villa Creek--Estero Bluffs State Park, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.9688341&<ll...>,-120.9688341 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S403588029 - Media: 5 Photos
- Comments: "Continuing found by Kathy Dale medium size plover smaller than the black bellied but about the same size of Killdeer overall tannish more of a vertical posture lightly scalloped pattern on wings pictures to be attached"
Evening Grosbeak (Hesperiphona vespertina) (1)
- Reported Oct 18, 2026 09:00 by Leisyka Parrott
- Carrizo Plain NM--MU Ranch, no internal access, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-119.4817506&<ll...>,-119.4817506 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S403510621 - Comments: "Heard distinctive Type 1 “peer” call 2-3 times, but could not get a recording or photos before bird(s) flew off. Never saw the bird as I was on the “wrong” side of the house. I was hoping to have this species come into the water features at some point given the eruptive year and hopefully one will come in."
Evening Grosbeak (Hesperiphona vespertina) (1)
- Reported Oct 18, 2026 09:00 by Russ Namitz
- Carrizo Plain NM--MU Ranch, no internal access, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-119.4817506&<ll...>,-119.4817506 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S403510620 - Comments: "Heard distinctive Type 1 “peer” call 2-3 times, but could not get a recording or photos before bird(s) flew off. Never saw the bird as I was on the “wrong” side of the house. I was hoping to have this species come into the water features at some point given the eruptive year and hopefully one will come in."
Cassin's Finch (Haemorhous cassinii) (2)
- Reported Oct 18, 2026 07:00 by Kevin Zimmer
- KJZ yard, Garcia Rd, Atascadero, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.7064838&<ll...>,-120.7064838 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S403638268 - Media: 13 Photos
- Comments: "Continuing individual male (first seen 10/17) was seen several times this morning, feeding on seeds (often in view simultaneously with male Purple Finch and male House Finch for nice congeneric comparison) and bathing and drinking from the pond fountain. Joined today by a 2nd male (seen simultaneously) that was much more pallid in color, particularly on the head. Photos of both birds to be added."
Red Crossbill (Loxia curvirostra) (2) CONFIRMED
- Reported Oct 18, 2026 10:20 by Petra Clayton
- Islay Creek Campground--Montana de Oro SP, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.8838502&<ll...>,-120.8838502 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S403624355 - Media: 5 Photos
- Comments: "Continuing since 10/13/2026.
Perched in a tall lace-lichen-covered Pine Tree across from campsite #18.
The bird was backlit against the blue sky, casting most of its body in shadow and making exact color identification difficult. The color seemed to be yellowish (not red) with a "vest"- shaped breast and a notched tail.
In spite of the backlit view, the crossed bill shape was unmistakable."
Red Crossbill (Loxia curvirostra) (7) CONFIRMED
- Reported Oct 14, 2026 09:02 by Kevin Zimmer
- 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/S403592842 - Media: 4 Photos
- Comments: "One group of 5, and another 2, located by following their distinctive “jip jip jip” calls, which sounded typical of Type 2 vocal types. No adult males noted, although most of the birds were only seen in flight, going away after they flushed from within the interior of pine trees where they were foraging. One yellowish female with traces of juvenile streaking on the abdomen sat out in the open, where it’s crossed mandibles could be clearly seen. Photos to follow."
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