Date: 10/31/26 10:23 am From: eBird alert via slocobirding <alert.ebird...> Subject: [slocobirding] [eBird Alert] San Luis Obispo County Rare Bird Alert
*** Species Summary:
- King Eider (1 report)
- American Bittern (1 report)
- Tropical Kingbird (1 report)
- Red Crossbill (Ponderosa Pine or type 2) (1 report)
- Red Crossbill (1 report)
- Clay-colored Sparrow (1 report)
- Golden-crowned x White-throated Sparrow (hybrid) (1 report)
- Savannah Sparrow (Large-billed) (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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King Eider (Somateria spectabilis) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Oct 30, 2026 09:20 by Daniel Richards
- Morro Bay Estuary (use more specific location(s) when possible), San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.8501072&<ll...>,-120.8501072 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S406656393 - Media: 1 Photo
- Comments: "Continuing bird resting on small float near the oyster farm. Female sea duck, cinnamon brown with sloping forehead, dark bill. cell phone photo"
American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Oct 30, 2026 08:31 by Ann McDowell
- Oso Flaco Lake (not for beach/ocean), San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.6207848&<ll...>,-120.6207848 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S406665677 - Media: 3 Photos
- Comments: "Seen perching on low reeds as we entered the lake area to the left by Cathy. Camera settings were off, so pictures came out pretty bad, but will include for ID purposes."
Tropical Kingbird (Tyrannus melancholicus) (2)
- Reported Oct 29, 2026 09:55 by Petra Clayton
- Oceano County Park, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.6255312&<ll...>,-120.6255312 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S406478873 - Media: 3 Videos, 13 Photos
- Comments: "Two individuals observed at the same time in a cypress tree on the Memorial Park (pond) side at the corner of Norswing and Mendel Drive. Then one flew into a barren tree on the Oceano Park side at the same corner.
Olive-gray back; notched tail; medium gray head with a dark mask; white chin and throat; bright yellow breast and belly; large, stout black bill.
Most recent eBird report of this species at this eBird hotspot: 1/18/2019.
One individual is most likely continuing from "Pismo Beach SP - Oceano Campground" hotspot since 10/3/2026. However, the most recent eBird report of two individuals in the area: 10/2/2022.
Click on the image below for a Flickr video, showing both individuals in the beginning:
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jack-petra-clayton/55620948309/in/dateposted-public/" title="Tropical Kingbird (Tyrannus melancholicus), Oceano, CA"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/31337/55620948309_7134620f3f_z.jpg" alt="Tropical Kingbird (Tyrannus melancholicus), Oceano, CA" /></a>"
Red Crossbill (Ponderosa Pine or type 2) (Loxia curvirostra (type 2)) (2)
- Reported Oct 30, 2026 14:45 by Kelly Krechmer
- 101 Ridgeview Way, Arroyo Grande US-CA 35.13313, -120.57267, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.572667&<ll...>,-120.572667 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S406697946 - Comments: "Doing a stationary bird count, and was surprised with a flyover of Red Crossbills glip glip calling-quick flyover no photos or recording unfortunately…ruled out other crossbills based on the type of glip glip calls. Flew over hill where I am sitting and onward southwest direction. Irruption year and previously reported in the area on October 24."
Golden-crowned x White-throated Sparrow (hybrid) (Zonotrichia atricapilla x albicollis) (1)
- Reported Oct 30, 2026 08:02 by Reef Comer
- Cerro Alto Campground, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.7491446&<ll...>,-120.7491446 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S406694178 - Comments: "In willow and osier dogwood thickets just up-road from parking lot. Seen perched and feeding along edge of road with other zono’s. Looked predominantly like basic adult GCSP except for obvious, contrasting, broad white throat. Also appeared to show more reddish coloration in the wings than what I would except for GCSP."
eBird Alerts provide recent reports of regionally or seasonally rare species (Rarities Alerts) or species you have not yet observed (Needs Alerts) in your region of interest; both Accepted and Unreviewed observations are included. Some reports may be from private property or inaccessible to the general public. It is the responsibility of every eBirder to be aware of and respectful of access restrictions. For more information, see our Terms of Use: https://www.birds.cornell.edu/home/terms-of-use/
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