Date: 8/12/26 12:00 pm From: eBird alert via groups.io <alert.ebird...> Subject: [slocobirding] [eBird Alert] San Luis Obispo County Rare Bird Alert
*** Species Summary:
- King Eider (1 report)
- American Oystercatcher (2 reports)
- Semipalmated Sandpiper (2 reports)
- Yellow-crowned Night Heron (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.
eBird encourages safe, responsible birding. Some reports may be from private property. Respect access restrictions and follow the rules wherever you bird. For more information, visit the eBird and Merlin Community Guidelines: https://ebird.org/community-guidelines. Stay connected to the global birding community with eBird Updates: https://mailchi.mp/cornell/ebird-updates-sign-up-page.
King Eider (Somateria spectabilis) (1)
- Reported Aug 12, 2026 06:24 by Bill Eisele
- Pasadena Park Beach, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.8440733&<ll...>,-120.8440733 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S382626831 - Media: 1 Photo
- Comments: "*rare.
Continuing female. Around here: 35.334694,-120.843027.
Not present upon arrival but picked up at 8:21am swimming between the oyster farm sections as tide came in. Swam around and actively fed. Sat up on the oyster farm edge closest to my viewing location. BOC doc shot for now. Photos later."
Semipalmated Sandpiper (Calidris pusilla) (2)
- Reported Aug 11, 2026 07:42 by Ann Stockert
- Turri Road Tidal Ponds, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.8218378&<ll...>,-120.8218378 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S382594631 - Comments: "Continuing juveniles observed in the largest tidal pond. Flew in around 7:56 to the far side of the pond.They both had short, blunt-tipped straight bills, black legs, a white belly, and the scaly pattern on the upperparts were pale grayish/brown. Similar in size to Western’s but didn’t observe any rufous. Attempted photos but unfortunately due to distance and lighting none were usable. :/ (will try again later today to get usable photos.)"
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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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.
eBird encourages safe, responsible birding. Some reports may be from private property. Respect access restrictions and follow the rules wherever you bird. For more information, visit the eBird and Merlin Community Guidelines: https://ebird.org/community-guidelines. Stay connected to the global birding community with eBird Updates: https://mailchi.mp/cornell/ebird-updates-sign-up-page.
King Eider (Somateria spectabilis) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Aug 09, 2026 17:44 by Carol Comeau
- Mitchell Drive, Private Residence (not open to the public, Los Osos US-CA 35.32170, -120.84943, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.849428&<ll...>,-120.849428 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S382273674 - Comments: "Continuing female, seen at distance through a scope. Large duck out of the water, resting on the floating structure near the southern oyster barge, where she has been frequently observed. Large head with a sloping bill profile; overall brownish plumage, lighter/paler around the head and chest."
Semipalmated Sandpiper (Calidris pusilla) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Aug 09, 2026 10:21 by Michael Moss
- Shark Inlet, Los Osos, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.8653633&<ll...>,-120.8653633 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S381751348 - Media: 1 Photo
- Comments: "first observed through scope with black legs and short straight stout bill but waited till I reviewed the picture to add the observation. Shades of brown not rufous."
Semipalmated Sandpiper (Calidris pusilla) (2) CONFIRMED
- Reported Aug 10, 2026 18:25 by Michael Moss
- Turri Road Tidal Ponds, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.8218378&<ll...>,-120.8218378 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S382125202 - Media: 5 Photos
- Comments: "Continuing observed at first by Reef mixed with westerns and least one at each pond short stout straight bills with black legs brown tones instead of rufous pics tba"
Semipalmated Sandpiper (Calidris pusilla) (2) CONFIRMED
- Reported Aug 10, 2026 18:25 by The Spotting Twohees
- Turri Road Tidal Ponds, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.8218378&<ll...>,-120.8218378 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S382126568 - Media: 5 Photos
- Comments: "Continuing observed at first by Reef mixed with westerns and least one at each pond short stout straight bills with black legs brown tones instead of rufous pics tba"
Semipalmated Sandpiper (Calidris pusilla) (2)
- Reported Aug 10, 2026 17:55 by Reef Comer
- Turri Road Tidal Ponds, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.8218378&<ll...>,-120.8218378 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S382156178 - Comments: "Both juvenile birds. One in first pond, the other in last big pond further up road. Small, compact, pale grayish-brown peeps with scaly pattern on upperside, white below, brownish wash on breast, darkish cap, stubby, straight bill, and black legs. Seen very well in Mike’s scope!"
Orange-crowned Warbler (sordida) (Leiothlypis celata sordida) (9)
- Reported Aug 10, 2026 07:03 by The Kingbirder
- Pismo SB--Oceano Campground, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.6265268&<ll...>,-120.6265268 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S382020196 - Comments: "**Very much expected, but high. New personal high count for SLO! Very careful e/c by 1s, essentially all in different parts of the campground, most looking slightly different, and not ranging widely so I am confident that the count of 9 is accurate. I assume at least several if not most are continuing birds that I observed here last Monday (8/3). There was one at the Native Garden (35.108938, -120.627754), one by the amphitheater (35.109778, -120.628453), two on the maintenance road (35.111054, -120.626989, 35.112014, -120.626898), and 5 on the Norswing drive trail (1 north (35.110775, -120.625329), and 4 south (35.108921, -120.625546, 35.108329, -120.625011, 35.107304, -120.624995) of the trail entrance).
All birds were relatively straightforward, being large, very dull Orange-crowneds that were overall a dull olive color, with a large thick-based bill, dark eye, greener upper and slightly paler lower eye arcs, a large head with a faint veiled/hooded appearance, a streaked breast almost appearing vested, dull legs and feet, a relatively slim build and medium-length tail, and strongly and extensively streaked undertail coverts. Several birds also gave harsh metallic chip calls typical of this subspecies, though I was unsuccessful in my attempts to record all calling individuals. I was able to see all birds well and at reasonably close range, varying from the midstory at eye level to up higher in the canopy. The lighting was dismal, but I was nevertheless able to photograph at least five of the nine individuals present. This subspecies departs the Channel Islands for the mainland as early as the later half of July and usually are the first migrant/dispersing OCWAs I see in south county in early fall.
Pics tba at some point…"
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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/
Date: 8/10/26 8:26 am From: eBird alert via groups.io <alert.ebird...> Subject: [slocobirding] [eBird Alert] San Luis Obispo County Rare Bird Alert
*** Species Summary:
- King Eider (4 reports)
- Red-breasted Merganser (1 report)
- Vaux's Swift (1 report)
- Allen's Hummingbird (1 report)
- Sora (2 reports)
- Red-shouldered Hawk (elegans) (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.
eBird encourages safe, responsible birding. Some reports may be from private property. Respect access restrictions and follow the rules wherever you bird. For more information, visit the eBird and Merlin Community Guidelines: https://ebird.org/community-guidelines. Stay connected to the global birding community with eBird Updates: https://mailchi.mp/cornell/ebird-updates-sign-up-page.
Sora (Porzana carolina) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Aug 09, 2026 10:21 by Michael Moss
- Shark Inlet, Los Osos, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.8653633&<ll...>,-120.8653633 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S381751348 - Comments: "Observed walking amongst the Reeds in the mud flats, disappeared into the adjacent brush and then reappeared briefly small rail with small yellow bill seemed it might be a juvenile overall Buffy brown colored"
Red-shouldered Hawk (elegans) (Buteo lineatus elegans) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Aug 08, 2026 17:35 by Jenna Hott
- Lagoon Trail, Oceano US-CA (35.1069,-120.6255), San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.625481&<ll...>,-120.625481 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S381743492 - Comments: "Very hard to distinguish but after careful consideration, I was able to identify this bird as subspecies Elegans due to its striking rufous coloration and bold black-and-white tail bands."
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You received this message because you are subscribed to eBird's San Luis Obispo County Rare Bird Alert
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/
Date: 8/9/26 6:42 am From: eBird alert via groups.io <alert.ebird...> Subject: [slocobirding] [eBird Alert] San Luis Obispo County Rare Bird Alert
*** Species Summary:
- King Eider (1 report)
- California Gull (californicus) (1 report)
- California Gull (albertaensis) (1 report)
- Yellow-crowned Night Heron (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.
eBird encourages safe, responsible birding. Some reports may be from private property. Respect access restrictions and follow the rules wherever you bird. For more information, visit the eBird and Merlin Community Guidelines: https://ebird.org/community-guidelines. Stay connected to the global birding community with eBird Updates: https://mailchi.mp/cornell/ebird-updates-sign-up-page.
California Gull (albertaensis) (Larus californicus albertaensis) (1)
- Reported Aug 08, 2026 09:51 by The Kingbirder
- Arroyo Grande Creek mouth, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.6287241&<ll...>,-120.6287241 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S381274874 - Comments: "*Continuing summering rather obvious monster SY/2 year old (male?) that has been present since at least late June. Massive CAGU with huge bill, long legs and wings, retained paler more worn gray scaps than nominate and exceedingly worn and pale overall. Really stands out. Photod"
Yellow-crowned Night Heron (Nyctanassa violacea) (1)
- Reported Aug 08, 2026 19:05 by Jonathon Flores
- Morro Bay SP--Marina/Boardwalk Trail, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.8418006&<ll...>,-120.8418006 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S381378731 - Comments: "Found one amongst a congregation of Snowy Egrets, while exiting Morro Bay State Park on Main Street, near Chorro Creek in Morro Estuary Natural Preserve, 0.2 miles West of Exercise Trail parking lot. White facial marking not wrapping around to the back of its head like a Black-crowned Night Heron, also had a longer neck."
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You received this message because you are subscribed to eBird's San Luis Obispo County Rare Bird Alert
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/
Twice this week a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher has been spotted gleaning tiny insects in my unstructured, mostly-native garden. Today it was an all-you-can-eat buffet of Rose Sawfly larvae on my climbing roses. I leave the chemicals on the store shelves and the pruning shears to get rusty.
S Girard
Nipomo
Twice this week a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher has been spotted gleaning tiny insects in my unstructured, mostly-native garden. Today it was an all-you-can-eat buffet of Rose Sawfly larvae on my climbing roses. I leave the chemicals on the store shelves and the pruning shears to get rusty.
Date: 8/8/26 5:06 am From: eBird alert via groups.io <alert.ebird...> Subject: [slocobirding] [eBird Alert] San Luis Obispo County Rare Bird Alert
*** Species Summary:
- Dunlin (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.
eBird encourages safe, responsible birding. Some reports may be from private property. Respect access restrictions and follow the rules wherever you bird. For more information, visit the eBird and Merlin Community Guidelines: https://ebird.org/community-guidelines. Stay connected to the global birding community with eBird Updates: https://mailchi.mp/cornell/ebird-updates-sign-up-page.
Dunlin (Calidris alpina) (1)
- Reported Aug 07, 2026 09:26 by Kathi Marston
- Elfin Forest Preserve, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.8267537&<ll...>,-120.8267537 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S380958671 - Media: 1 Photo
- Comments: "Horrible distant photo of what sure looks like to me of a Dunlin in breeding plumage. Black stomach patch is not visible nor is the longer bill clear, but the rufous coloring on the back is."
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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/
Date: 8/7/26 3:32 am From: eBird alert via groups.io <alert.ebird...> Subject: [slocobirding] [eBird Alert] San Luis Obispo County Rare Bird Alert
*** Species Summary:
- King Eider (1 report)
- Solitary Sandpiper (3 reports)
- Least Bittern (3 reports)
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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.
eBird encourages safe, responsible birding. Some reports may be from private property. Respect access restrictions and follow the rules wherever you bird. For more information, visit the eBird and Merlin Community Guidelines: https://ebird.org/community-guidelines. Stay connected to the global birding community with eBird Updates: https://mailchi.mp/cornell/ebird-updates-sign-up-page.
King Eider (Somateria spectabilis) (1)
- Reported Aug 06, 2026 16:03 by Terri Osborn
- Pasadena Park Beach, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.8440733&<ll...>,-120.8440733 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S380675665 - Media: 3 Photos
- Comments: "Continuing female, large brown duck with a sloping forehead down to a large dark bill. She was preening while resting on the log boom raft at the south end of the oyster farm in the Morro Bay estuary. (Poor long distance photo for ID)"
Solitary Sandpiper (Tringa solitaria) (1)
- Reported Aug 06, 2026 09:51 by Reef Comer
- 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/S380677611 - Comments: "Found by T Edell earlier this morning. Smallish tringa with dark upperside and breast, bold white eye ring, straight dark bill, white underside, and olive green legs. Occasional tail bobbing. Picked up and flew a couple times, giving very high, whistly peet weet calls."
Solitary Sandpiper (Tringa solitaria) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Aug 06, 2026 09:42 by Ben Kolstad
- 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/S380560048 - Media: 3 Photos
- Comments: "Tringa sandpiper with no spots below and a few white spots on upperparts. Relatively prominent eye ring. Seen at a distance looked like lesser yellowlegs, except the legs seemed less yellow than either yellowlegs sp."
Solitary Sandpiper (Tringa solitaria) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Aug 06, 2026 08:43 by Tom Edell
- 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/S380647919 - Media: 1 Video, 4 Photos
- Comments: "Adult at the Prefumo Creek outflow into Laguna Lake. Adult with less spotting on wings than a juvenile and brown on breast somewhat streaked. Yellowish base to the bill, yellow-green legs, barring on tail, white eyering and lores. (photos, video)"
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/
Date: 8/6/26 2:01 am From: eBird alert via groups.io <alert.ebird...> Subject: [slocobirding] [eBird Alert] San Luis Obispo County Rare Bird Alert
*** Species Summary:
- Redhead (1 report)
- Ring-necked Duck (1 report)
- King Eider (1 report)
- Yellow-crowned Night Heron (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.
eBird encourages safe, responsible birding. Some reports may be from private property. Respect access restrictions and follow the rules wherever you bird. For more information, visit the eBird and Merlin Community Guidelines: https://ebird.org/community-guidelines. Stay connected to the global birding community with eBird Updates: https://mailchi.mp/cornell/ebird-updates-sign-up-page.
Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris) (3) CONFIRMED
- Reported Aug 05, 2026 09:54 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/S380343912 - Media: 1 Photo
- Comments: "3 males, possibly one female. Two male distant at edge of bulrushes on far side of outer Cottontail Creek arm was molting. Two males further into arm swimming in base of sticks from dead trees. (photo of one male)"
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/
Date: 8/5/26 12:40 am From: eBird alert via groups.io <alert.ebird...> Subject: [slocobirding] [eBird Alert] San Luis Obispo County Rare Bird Alert
*** Species Summary:
- Red-breasted Merganser (1 report)
- Vaux's Swift (1 report)
- Sora (1 report)
- American Oystercatcher (1 report)
- Yellow-crowned Night Heron (2 reports)
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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.
eBird encourages safe, responsible birding. Some reports may be from private property. Respect access restrictions and follow the rules wherever you bird. For more information, visit the eBird and Merlin Community Guidelines: https://ebird.org/community-guidelines. Stay connected to the global birding community with eBird Updates: https://mailchi.mp/cornell/ebird-updates-sign-up-page.
American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Aug 04, 2026 10:50 by Mike Kinberg
- West Hazard Canyon--Montana de Oro SP, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.8812916&<ll...>,-120.8812916 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S380063031 - Comments: "Continuing bird, H. p. frazari type, mottled black breast with white underparts distinctive from BLOY next to it. Also orange bill. First found further south and then it flew closer to the Hazard Canyon trail exit. Lifer! Photos and video."
Yellow-crowned Night Heron (Nyctanassa violacea) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Aug 04, 2026 15:38 by Tom Edell
- Hardie Park/Cayucos Creek (Ocean Ave Bridge to Hwy 1 Bridge), Cayucos, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.9062489&<ll...>,-120.9062489 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S380043238 - Media: 3 Photos
- Comments: "Juvenile first reported yesterday. Today along creek between Hardie Park and Ocean Ave Bridge. Brownish-gray plumage, gray crown showing a few downy feathers, broad-based dark bill paling at base, yellow chin and lores, small white triangles at tips of wing feathers, yellow-green legs."
Yellow-crowned Night Heron (Nyctanassa violacea) (1)
- Reported Aug 04, 2026 13:15 by Petra Clayton
- Hardie Park/Cayucos Creek (Ocean Ave Bridge to Hwy 1 Bridge), Cayucos, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.9062489&<ll...>,-120.9062489 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S380018258 - Media: 1 Video, 20 Photos
- Comments: "Continuing juvenile since 8/3/26.
Yesterday's sighting was only the second-ever eBird report in the Cayucos Creek area.
The first-ever eBird report here was on August 1, 2024: <a href="https://ebird.org/checklist/S189847451">ebird.org/checklist/S189847451</a> Today's juvenile was observed midway between the two bridges, standing and walking on a log in the creek, dipping into the creek three times, apparently bathing, and exiting the water without shaking and only briefly preening.
Small white triangular spots on the covert feathers; downy feathers on gray crown; all dark, stout bill with yellow feathers at the base of the lower mandible; long greenish-yellow legs.
Click on the image below for a Flickr video showing the activity:
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jack-petra-clayton/55443809314/in/dateposted-public/" title="Yellow-crowned Night-Heron (Nyctanassa violacea), juvenile, Hardie Park, Cayucos, CA"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/31337/55443809314_219f3b48b0.jpg" alt="Yellow-crowned Night-Heron (Nyctanassa violacea), juvenile, Hardie Park, Cayucos, CA" /></a>"
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You received this message because you are subscribed to eBird's San Luis Obispo County Rare Bird Alert
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/
Date: 8/3/26 10:53 pm From: eBird alert via groups.io <alert.ebird...> Subject: [slocobirding] [eBird Alert] San Luis Obispo County Rare Bird Alert
*** Species Summary:
- Vaux's Swift (1 report)
- American Oystercatcher (2 reports)
- Yellow-crowned Night Heron (1 report)
---------------------------------------------
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.
eBird encourages safe, responsible birding. Some reports may be from private property. Respect access restrictions and follow the rules wherever you bird. For more information, visit the eBird and Merlin Community Guidelines: https://ebird.org/community-guidelines. Stay connected to the global birding community with eBird Updates: https://mailchi.mp/cornell/ebird-updates-sign-up-page.
American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Aug 03, 2026 15:27 by Jay Carroll
- West Hazard Canyon--Montana de Oro SP, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.8812916&<ll...>,-120.8812916 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S379738586 - Media: 4 Photos
- Comments: "Continuing H. p. frazari -type individual with “messy” border between black bib and white underparts; resting in a flock with BLOY at high tide; photos."
Yellow-crowned Night Heron (Nyctanassa violacea) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Aug 03, 2026 11:23 by Haley Garrow
- Cayucos Creek, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.907453&<ll...>,-120.907453 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S379653384 - Media: 2 Photos
- Comments: "Juvenile seen perched along the creek in the willows. Smaller and more abundant spotting with a thicker bill than expected for a black-crowned."
***********
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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/
Date: 8/1/26 7:32 pm From: eBird alert via groups.io <alert.ebird...> Subject: [slocobirding] [eBird Alert] San Luis Obispo County Rare Bird Alert
*** Species Summary:
- American Oystercatcher (1 report)
- Least Bittern (1 report)
---------------------------------------------
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.
eBird encourages safe, responsible birding. Some reports may be from private property. Respect access restrictions and follow the rules wherever you bird. For more information, visit the eBird and Merlin Community Guidelines: https://ebird.org/community-guidelines. Stay connected to the global birding community with eBird Updates: https://mailchi.mp/cornell/ebird-updates-sign-up-page.
American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus) (1)
- Reported Jul 31, 2026 10:00 by Mary Butler
- Hazard Canyon, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.889111&<ll...>,-120.889111 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S378801803 - Media: 1 Photo
- Comments: "Looked like a black oystercatcher, but it had white underbelly and white on the wings. I googled it and found an exact picture of what I was seeing labeled as an American Oystercatcher"
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/
Date: 7/31/26 5:59 pm From: eBird alert via groups.io <alert.ebird...> Subject: [slocobirding] [eBird Alert] San Luis Obispo County Rare Bird Alert
*** Species Summary:
- Redhead (1 report)
- Common Merganser (1 report)
---------------------------------------------
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.
eBird encourages safe, responsible birding. Some reports may be from private property. Respect access restrictions and follow the rules wherever you bird. For more information, visit the eBird and Merlin Community Guidelines: https://ebird.org/community-guidelines. Stay connected to the global birding community with eBird Updates: https://mailchi.mp/cornell/ebird-updates-sign-up-page.
Redhead (Aythya americana) (1)
- Reported Jul 31, 2026 08:18 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/S378479074 - Comments: "Adult male tucked into the bulrushes on the far side of the Cottontail Creek arm. Red head, black chest, gray sides and back. Bird had bill tucked into its back. I did not see the bill or eye color."
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/
Date: 7/31/26 12:55 pm From: Brian O'Kelly via groups.io <losthillsguy...> Subject: Re: [slocobirding] FW: [CALBIRDS] artificial intelligence and photos of birds
I do a lot of my photo processing on my phone using Google photos. It has the obvious AI generative tools to be avoided, but there are some functions such as unblur that appear to make substantial changes and should probably not be used for photos destined for eBird.
I know I'm tempted to post the prettiest photo I can come up with, but I have to remember, its for science!
Here is a photo where I used unblur and you can see its a little goofy.
Date: 7/29/26 2:46 pm From: eBird alert via groups.io <alert.ebird...> Subject: [slocobirding] [eBird Alert] San Luis Obispo County Rare Bird Alert
*** Species Summary:
- Red-breasted Merganser (1 report)
- California Gull (albertaensis) (1 report)
- California Gull (californicus) (1 report)
- Sooty Tern (1 report)
- Common Tern (5 reports)
---------------------------------------------
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.
eBird encourages safe, responsible birding. Some reports may be from private property. Respect access restrictions and follow the rules wherever you bird. For more information, visit the eBird and Merlin Community Guidelines: https://ebird.org/community-guidelines. Stay connected to the global birding community with eBird Updates: https://mailchi.mp/cornell/ebird-updates-sign-up-page.
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/
Date: 7/28/26 1:09 pm From: eBird alert via groups.io <alert.ebird...> Subject: [slocobirding] [eBird Alert] San Luis Obispo County Rare Bird Alert
*** Species Summary:
- King Eider (1 report)
- Common Merganser (1 report)
- Sora (1 report)
- Common Tern (2 reports)
---------------------------------------------
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.
eBird encourages safe, responsible birding. Some reports may be from private property. Respect access restrictions and follow the rules wherever you bird. For more information, visit the eBird and Merlin Community Guidelines: https://ebird.org/community-guidelines. Stay connected to the global birding community with eBird Updates: https://mailchi.mp/cornell/ebird-updates-sign-up-page.
King Eider (Somateria spectabilis) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Jul 27, 2026 09:15 by Luke Jensen
- 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/S377163518 - Media: 3 Videos, 14 Photos
- Comments: "Seen taking a short flight from the tip of the Pasadena beach oyster farm🦪. It then landed close to us and we got frameable pics!"
Common Tern (Sterna hirundo) (2) CONFIRMED
- Reported Jul 26, 2026 15:10 by Luke Jensen
- Arroyo Grande Creek mouth, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.6287241&<ll...>,-120.6287241 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S377171442 - Media: 1 Video, 20 Photos
- Comments: "Both seen in large tern flock. Moved around a fair bit. Great pics. Details have been posted by others. Pics are of both individuals one with a stronger black line on wing and one with a weaker one."
***********
You received this message because you are subscribed to eBird's San Luis Obispo County Rare Bird Alert
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/
Date: 7/27/26 7:58 pm From: Tom Edell via groups.io <TEdell...> Subject: [slocobirding] FW: [CALBIRDS] artificial intelligence and photos of birds
I’ve heard from a few folks that they found the other post I forwarded of interest. This is a follow up CALBIRDS post. If you don’t take or process photos, you may want to hit delete.
Tom Edell
Cayucos, CA
From: <CALBIRDS...> <CALBIRDS...> On Behalf Of Jimmy Gain via groups.io
Sent: Sunday, July 26, 2026 8:12 PM
To: <z.querula...>
Cc: <CALBIRDS...>
Subject: Re: [CALBIRDS] artificial intelligence and photos of birds
A lot of bird photographers utilize denoise software to sharpen edges and especially eyes. I asked ChatGPT the following:
There is a lot of negative feedback regarding the use of generative AI in bird photos that are submitted to citizen science databases such as eBird and iNaturalist. There are concerns that the use of generative AI may mask or change important identification characteristics of a species of concern and lead to improper identification. Is the use of an application such as Topaz deNoise considered generative?
IT ANSWERED:
This is an excellent question, and one that is being actively debated among birders, photographers, and citizen science organizations.
The short answer is:
Topaz DeNoise AI (and its successor, Topaz Photo AI) uses AI, but it is generally not considered “generative AI” in the same sense as tools like Midjourney, Stable Diffusion, or Photoshop’s Generative Fill. However, the distinction is becoming less clear as AI-based photo editing evolves.
Here’s why.
Traditional denoising vs. generative AI
Traditional denoising algorithms work by mathematically reducing random sensor noise while attempting to preserve edges and detail.
AI denoising, such as Topaz DeNoise AI, is trained on millions of image pairs. Rather than simply smoothing pixels, it predicts what fine detail should look like based on what it has learned.
In doing so, it is not merely revealing information that already existed—it is making an educated prediction.
Is that “generative”?
Technically, yes—to a degree.
Computer vision researchers would describe many modern AI denoisers as generative or reconstructive neural networks because they synthesize plausible image content from learned models.
However, they differ from image generators because:
* they begin with an actual photograph,
* they preserve the scene geometry,
* they do not invent new birds or backgrounds,
* they are constrained by the existing image.
So most photographers think of Topaz as an AI restoration tool, not an image generator.
Why eBird reviewers worry
The concern isn’t whether the software is called “generative.”
The concern is whether important field marks may have been altered.
Examples include:
* faint wingbars becoming more prominent
* eye rings appearing cleaner than they were
* streaking becoming simplified
* bill shape subtly changing
* feather edges being “hallucinated”
* color transitions becoming smoother
For common species this rarely matters.
For a potential first county record, rare warbler, difficult gull, or hybrid, these changes could influence identification.
Where Topaz becomes more controversial
Recent versions of Topaz Photo AI include features like:
These functions are more likely to invent fine detail than simple noise reduction.
If a tiny bird occupies only a few dozen pixels, the software may create feather structure that never actually existed in the original capture.
That is what many reviewers are concerned about.
Current community consensus
Among experienced eBird reviewers and iNaturalist identifiers, the emerging consensus is something like this:
Generally acceptable
* Exposure adjustment
* White balance
* Contrast
* Cropping
* Traditional sharpening
* Moderate AI denoising
Use with caution
* AI sharpening
* AI detail recovery
* AI upscaling
* Super-resolution
Usually discouraged for documentation
* Generative Fill
* Object removal affecting the subject
* Adding missing features
* Replacing backgrounds
* Creating image content that was never captured
My recommendation for citizen science
If the photograph is being submitted primarily as documentation of a rare bird, I would:
* keep the edits conservative,
* avoid aggressive AI sharpening,
* avoid large AI upscales,
* retain the original RAW or JPEG,
* be prepared to provide the original if requested by a reviewer.
Many regional eBird reviewers already ask for original, unedited files when evaluating exceptional records.
Looking ahead
I suspect we’re moving toward a new vocabulary. Rather than asking whether an image is “AI” or “not AI,” reviewers may classify edits by how much they alter evidentiary content. An image used as scientific documentation should preserve the observable features present in the original capture as faithfully as possible.
As someone involved in bird photography and citizen science, you might appreciate a practical framework like this:
* Evidence-preserving edits: cropping, exposure, color balance, moderate noise reduction.
* Evidence-enhancing edits: AI denoise, AI sharpening, super-resolution—useful, but capable of altering subtle field marks.
* Evidence-generating edits: adding, removing, or fabricating image content; generally inappropriate for scientific documentation.
That framework focuses on the real issue—whether the edit changes the evidence—rather than on whether a particular tool is marketed as “generative AI.” It also provides a clearer basis for camera clubs and citizen science projects to develop consistent policies as AI-assisted editing continues to evolve.
Jim Gain
On Jul 26, 2026, at 10:23 AM, Ethan Monk via groups.io <z.querula...> <mailto:<z.querula...> > wrote:
Dear Birders,
Over the past year, several birders in California and further abroad have used artificial intelligence (“AI”) to edit photographs of birds and have uploaded those altered photos to eBird and iNaturalist. Even though most of these instances have probably been innocuous attempts to make a poor photo look a bit better, this practice is highly damaging regardless of a user's intended purpose. Unfortunately, most birders still do not understand how many of these programs work and why they are so negative. Below I have attempted to explain this issue.
There are several types of artificial intelligence, but the variety used by the most popular platforms (Google Gemini, Claude, etc.) is called generative AI. These programs have immense databases which they use to generate responses to user prompts. To put it simply, if you have a photo of a California Scrub-Jay, and you use a generative artificial intelligence program to edit the photo, the program is going outside of the data contained in the photo, searching its database for what it knows California Scrub-Jays look like, and then uses that external knowledge to “touch up” the photo to meet its expectations. This is not much different than printing a photo out onto paper and asking an artist to touch up the photo by painting onto it. The human artist will use their knowledge of what scrub-jays are supposed to look like to improve the image. So does AI.
To further clarify, I asked Google Gemini to explain how it edits photos. Here is what it told me: “Gemini is a Generator: It doesn’t actually “edit” your photo. Instead, it looks at your image, reads your instructions, and draws a brand-new picture from scratch based on patterns it knows. Because it rebuilds the entire image every time, it struggles to keep the original details—like the exact shape of a face, text, or background textures—identical.”
So, if you upload that Scrub-Jay, the generative AI can use its knowledge of scrub-jays to fill in missing details, and make that blurry photo sharp, or that dark spot visible, etc. But what if you upload a subpar photo of an Empidonax flycatcher? Or a seagull (yeah, I said it)? The AI still goes into its database and uses that external knowledge to touch up the photo… can the blurry Western Flycatcher be mistakenly touched up into a Willow? A Yellow-footed Gull into a Western Gull? Even if you upload a good photo, can the Sooty Fox Sparrow be made to look a bit more like a Slate-colored? Might a hatch-year state of molt return looking a bit more adult like? (If the number of remiges can change on a bird when run through AI, as I've seen a few times, it seems anything is possible.) How about a perfectly decent photo of an Epaulet Oriole, which when “touched up” with AI came out looking like the first-for-Brazil record of Red-winged Blackbird? More on that last scenario, and a further explanation of AI’s problems as they pertain to citizen science databases, here: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41559-026-03141-y
In short, generative AI should absolutely not be used when editing photos. These programs rely on pre-existing knowledge to edit photos, and in doing so, inevitably hallucinate details that were not actually there. At best, uploading these photos pollutes scientific databases with photos not representative of reality. (It is crazy that that is the "at best."]) And, I hate to say it, but with companies shoving AI down our collective throats, the onus is now on the user to verify that new photo editing apps and tools do not use generative artificial intelligence.
One final sobering note: Most of these instances where eBird reviewers or other careful eyed observers have sniffed out AI-altered media have done so because, to the trained eye, most AI edited photos often have the wrong number of feathers, a mishmash of features from different (sub)species, or otherwise appear "strange" or "off." But AI is improving rapidly. Just last year, I was unable to generate a photo of a bird in Google Gemini that did not seemingly combine features of multiple species and that was not positioned at an unnatural angle. Last week, I generated a photo of a Mourning Warbler with AI--completely from scratch, no pre-existing photo to serve as a "canvas" to work off of--that was scarily convincing. (I sent the photo to a few friends to ask what they thought-- the first to reply wrote, “Ok f*** this.”) Soon, we will not be able to tell what is and is not altered.
Please, build good habits now, and encourage the same from those around you by strongly advocating against the use of generative artificial intelligence to edit photos and by educating other birders of its perils.
Date: 7/27/26 11:25 am From: eBird alert via groups.io <alert.ebird...> Subject: [slocobirding] [eBird Alert] San Luis Obispo County Rare Bird Alert
*** Species Summary:
- Green-winged Teal (1 report)
- Common Tern (1 report)
- Least Bittern (1 report)
---------------------------------------------
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.
eBird encourages safe, responsible birding. Some reports may be from private property. Respect access restrictions and follow the rules wherever you bird. For more information, visit the eBird and Merlin Community Guidelines: https://ebird.org/community-guidelines. Stay connected to the global birding community with eBird Updates: https://mailchi.mp/cornell/ebird-updates-sign-up-page.
Common Tern (Sterna hirundo) (2) CONFIRMED
- Reported Jul 24, 2026 10:00 by Petra Clayton
- Arroyo Grande Creek mouth, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.6287241&<ll...>,-120.6287241 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S376036568 - Media: 2 Videos, 8 Photos
- Comments: "Smaller than nearby Elegant Terns; white forehead and black covering eye, crown and nape; light gray back and wings with a dark carpal bar; white throat, neck, breast and belly; dark bill; somewhat short orange legs.
The second (last) video shows two juvenile Common Terns and one juvenile Forster Tern."
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/
Date: 7/26/26 10:46 am From: Tom Edell via groups.io <TEdell...> Subject: [slocobirding] FW: [CALBIRDS] artificial intelligence and photos of birds
Something to consider as photo processing programs add generative AI…
Tom Edell
Cayucos, CA
From: <CALBIRDS...> <CALBIRDS...> On Behalf Of Ethan Monk via groups.io
Sent: Sunday, July 26, 2026 10:23 AM
To: <CALBIRDS...>
Subject: [CALBIRDS] artificial intelligence and photos of birds
Dear Birders,
Over the past year, several birders in California and further abroad have used artificial intelligence (“AI”) to edit photographs of birds and have uploaded those altered photos to eBird and iNaturalist. Even though most of these instances have probably been innocuous attempts to make a poor photo look a bit better, this practice is highly damaging regardless of a user's intended purpose. Unfortunately, most birders still do not understand how many of these programs work and why they are so negative. Below I have attempted to explain this issue.
There are several types of artificial intelligence, but the variety used by the most popular platforms (Google Gemini, Claude, etc.) is called generative AI. These programs have immense databases which they use to generate responses to user prompts. To put it simply, if you have a photo of a California Scrub-Jay, and you use a generative artificial intelligence program to edit the photo, the program is going outside of the data contained in the photo, searching its database for what it knows California Scrub-Jays look like, and then uses that external knowledge to “touch up” the photo to meet its expectations. This is not much different than printing a photo out onto paper and asking an artist to touch up the photo by painting onto it. The human artist will use their knowledge of what scrub-jays are supposed to look like to improve the image. So does AI.
To further clarify, I asked Google Gemini to explain how it edits photos. Here is what it told me: “Gemini is a Generator: It doesn’t actually “edit” your photo. Instead, it looks at your image, reads your instructions, and draws a brand-new picture from scratch based on patterns it knows. Because it rebuilds the entire image every time, it struggles to keep the original details—like the exact shape of a face, text, or background textures—identical.”
So, if you upload that Scrub-Jay, the generative AI can use its knowledge of scrub-jays to fill in missing details, and make that blurry photo sharp, or that dark spot visible, etc. But what if you upload a subpar photo of an Empidonax flycatcher? Or a seagull (yeah, I said it)? The AI still goes into its database and uses that external knowledge to touch up the photo… can the blurry Western Flycatcher be mistakenly touched up into a Willow? A Yellow-footed Gull into a Western Gull? Even if you upload a good photo, can the Sooty Fox Sparrow be made to look a bit more like a Slate-colored? Might a hatch-year state of molt return looking a bit more adult like? (If the number of remiges can change on a bird when run through AI, as I've seen a few times, it seems anything is possible.) How about a perfectly decent photo of an Epaulet Oriole, which when “touched up” with AI came out looking like the first-for-Brazil record of Red-winged Blackbird? More on that last scenario, and a further explanation of AI’s problems as they pertain to citizen science databases, here: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41559-026-03141-y
In short, generative AI should absolutely not be used when editing photos. These programs rely on pre-existing knowledge to edit photos, and in doing so, inevitably hallucinate details that were not actually there. At best, uploading these photos pollutes scientific databases with photos not representative of reality. (It is crazy that that is the "at best."]) And, I hate to say it, but with companies shoving AI down our collective throats, the onus is now on the user to verify that new photo editing apps and tools do not use generative artificial intelligence.
One final sobering note: Most of these instances where eBird reviewers or other careful eyed observers have sniffed out AI-altered media have done so because, to the trained eye, most AI edited photos often have the wrong number of feathers, a mishmash of features from different (sub)species, or otherwise appear "strange" or "off." But AI is improving rapidly. Just last year, I was unable to generate a photo of a bird in Google Gemini that did not seemingly combine features of multiple species and that was not positioned at an unnatural angle. Last week, I generated a photo of a Mourning Warbler with AI--completely from scratch, no pre-existing photo to serve as a "canvas" to work off of--that was scarily convincing. (I sent the photo to a few friends to ask what they thought-- the first to reply wrote, “Ok f*** this.”) Soon, we will not be able to tell what is and is not altered.
Please, build good habits now, and encourage the same from those around you by strongly advocating against the use of generative artificial intelligence to edit photos and by educating other birders of its perils.
Date: 7/26/26 9:48 am From: eBird alert via groups.io <alert.ebird...> Subject: [slocobirding] [eBird Alert] San Luis Obispo County Rare Bird Alert
*** Species Summary:
- Ring-necked Duck (1 report)
- Sora (2 reports)
- California Gull (albertaensis) (1 report)
- California Gull (californicus) (1 report)
- Sooty Tern (1 report)
- Common Tern (5 reports)
- Least Bittern (1 report)
---------------------------------------------
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.
eBird encourages safe, responsible birding. Some reports may be from private property. Respect access restrictions and follow the rules wherever you bird. For more information, visit the eBird and Merlin Community Guidelines: https://ebird.org/community-guidelines. Stay connected to the global birding community with eBird Updates: https://mailchi.mp/cornell/ebird-updates-sign-up-page.
California Gull (albertaensis) (Larus californicus albertaensis) (1)
- Reported Jul 25, 2026 06:38 by Herb Elliott
- Arroyo Grande Creek mouth, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.6287241&<ll...>,-120.6287241 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S376424248 - Media: 5 Photos
- Comments: "*Continuing large summering SY bird that has been here for at least a month. Overall large beefy CAGU with longer legs and bill, fine streaking on head, and very pale and exceedingly worn wing coverts, etc. Herb has pics"
Sooty Tern (Onychoprion fuscatus) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Jul 23, 2026 15:50 by Steven McMasters
- Arroyo Grande Creek mouth, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.6287241&<ll...>,-120.6287241 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S376308495 - Media: 1 Photo
- Comments: "Found earlier today by Luke Jensen. About the same size as the Elegant Tern, but with black upperparts, black legs and bill, white underparts, deeply forked tail, and white forehead patch."
Common Tern (Sterna hirundo) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Jul 25, 2026 06:38 by Herb Elliott
- Arroyo Grande Creek mouth, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.6287241&<ll...>,-120.6287241 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S376424248 - Media: 4 Photos
- Comments: "*Continuing SY bird, 1/2 seen here recently. Small Sterna sp with more extensive cap extending onto nape, darker bill, and shorter legs. Carpal bar also visible. Pics"
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/
---------------------------------------------
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.
eBird encourages safe, responsible birding. Some reports may be from private property. Respect access restrictions and follow the rules wherever you bird. For more information, visit the eBird and Merlin Community Guidelines: https://ebird.org/community-guidelines. Stay connected to the global birding community with eBird Updates: https://mailchi.mp/cornell/ebird-updates-sign-up-page.
Sooty Tern (Onychoprion fuscatus) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Jul 23, 2026 16:15 by David Lawrence
- Arroyo Grande Creek mouth, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.6287241&<ll...>,-120.6287241 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S375841167 - Media: 5 Photos
- Comments: "Medium-sized tern, black above, white below, black short legs and black bill. Black cap captures dark eye, with narrow straight black band extending from front of eye angled downward to base of bill, defining white forehead patch between lores , bill below, and black cap above."
Sooty Tern (Onychoprion fuscatus) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Jul 23, 2026 15:50 by Isaiah Woodard
- Arroyo Grande Creek mouth, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.6287241&<ll...>,-120.6287241 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S375837329 - Media: 1 Photo
- Comments: "Found earlier today by Luke Jensen. About the same size as the Elegant Tern, but with black upperparts, black legs and bill, white underparts, deeply forked tail, and white forehead patch."
Sooty Tern (Onychoprion fuscatus) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Jul 23, 2026 15:50 by Eric Wier
- Arroyo Grande Creek mouth, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.6287241&<ll...>,-120.6287241 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S375790053 - Media: 1 Photo
- Comments: "Found earlier today by Luke Jensen. About the same size as the Elegant Tern, but with black upperparts, black legs and bill, white underparts, deeply forked tail, and white forehead patch."
Sooty Tern (Onychoprion fuscatus) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Jul 23, 2026 13:54 by Kevin Zimmer
- Arroyo Grande Creek mouth, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.6287241&<ll...>,-120.6287241 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S375963932 - Media: 18 Photos
- Comments: "1st county record, first found and photographed earlier today by Luke Jensen. Medium-sized, adult tern, with entire upperparts blackish (crown darker shade of black), except for prominent white "headlight" on forehead, and white-edged outer rectrices of deeply forked tail. White below, including underwing linings, with darker (gray) undersides to remiges. Bill slender and black; tarsi and feet blackish. Lores black, setting off white forehead, which did not extend rearward in a point beyond the eye (as in Bridled Tern). Bridled Tern further eliminated by darker trailing edge and tip of underwing; darker tail; and more uniformly blackish upperparts, with only slight crown-back contrast."
Sooty Tern (Onychoprion fuscatus) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Jul 23, 2026 13:50 by Andrew Howe
- Arroyo Grande Creek mouth, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.6287241&<ll...>,-120.6287241 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S375956901 - Media: 2 Photos
- Comments: "Onychoprion tern sp. identified as Sooty due to dark black back and white restricted to in front of the eye. While sitting on the beach, presented as having long wings and a very low profile. Much as the Dockweiler bird did last year, this one appeared to want to hang out at the edges of the flock. A one-day bird, as is typical for Sooty Terns in California not associating with breeding colonies."
The Sooty Tern was among a large group of Elegant Terns, its dark black back, white forehead, and white underparts made it a standout. The bird's wings were relatively long, and its tail was deeply forked, setting it apart from other terns present."
The Sooty Tern was among a large group of Elegant Terns, its dark black back, white forehead, and white underparts made it a standout. The bird's wings were relatively long, and its tail was deeply forked, setting it apart from other terns present."
Common Tern (Sterna hirundo) (2)
- Reported Jul 23, 2026 18:53 by Zane Pickus
- Arroyo Grande Creek mouth, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.6287241&<ll...>,-120.6287241 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S375881928 - Comments: "Continuing amongst the masses of ELTEs. Slightly smaller than nearby FOTE with black on head restricted to the hindcrown and nape, notable dark carpal bars, black bill, dark primaries, legs seemed slightly shorter as well."
Common Tern (Sterna hirundo) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Jul 23, 2026 13:54 by Kevin Zimmer
- Arroyo Grande Creek mouth, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.6287241&<ll...>,-120.6287241 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S375963932 - Media: 2 Photos
- Comments: "1st-summer bird with dark bill, more extensive dark mask (extending to nape) than like-aged Forster’s Tern, and obvious dusky carpal bar at “shoulder” of folded wing. Photos to follow."
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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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.
eBird encourages safe, responsible birding. Some reports may be from private property. Respect access restrictions and follow the rules wherever you bird. For more information, visit the eBird and Merlin Community Guidelines: https://ebird.org/community-guidelines. Stay connected to the global birding community with eBird Updates: https://mailchi.mp/cornell/ebird-updates-sign-up-page.
Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator) (2)
- Reported Jul 23, 2026 08:13 by Kathi Marston
- 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/S375555928 - Media: 8 Photos
- Comments: "2 Female Mergansers with very narrow pink bills & crazy hairdos. 1 flew past me going in the opposite direction and then I encountered another one a while later. Photographed both."
Sooty Tern (Onychoprion fuscatus) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Jul 23, 2026 13:56 by Mike Bush
- Arroyo Grande Creek mouth, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.6287241&<ll...>,-120.6287241 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S375636403 - Media: 11 Photos
- Comments: "First county record** This apparent adult bird was found earlier in the afternoon by Luke Jensen and remained here at least to when we left. The bird tended toward the edges of the Elegant Tern flock where it stood out because of its dark upper parts and black bill. It had a white forehead, white around the shoulder, and a dark line from the crown through the eye and to the bill. It appeared long-winged while resting. In flight, the primaries and secondaries were dark and the tail was forked. This bird is on the California Bird Records Committee Review List. (Photos)"
Sooty Tern (Onychoprion fuscatus) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Jul 23, 2026 13:56 by Tom Edell
- Arroyo Grande Creek mouth, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.6287241&<ll...>,-120.6287241 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S375610712 - Media: 11 Photos
- Comments: "First county record** This apparent adult bird was found earlier in the afternoon by Luke Jensen and remained here at least to when we left. The bird tended toward the edges of the Elegant Tern flock where it stood out because of its dark upper parts and black bill. It had a white forehead, white around the shoulder, and a dark line from the crown through the eye and to the bill. It appeared long-winged while resting. In flight, the primaries and secondaries were dark and the tail was forked. This bird is on the California Bird Records Committee Review List. (Photos)"
Sooty Tern (Onychoprion fuscatus) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Jul 23, 2026 13:30 by Jay Carroll
- Arroyo Grande Creek mouth, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.6287241&<ll...>,-120.6287241 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S375632965 - Media: 4 Photos
- Comments: "Tern with solid black upperparts and cap, white below, and white on forehead that did not extend behind the eyes, and thin black bill; in flight with deep wingbeats the long tapered wings showed mostly grayish primaries below, and the tail was forked; it mostly stayed on the margin of a large flock of Elegant Terns that flushed several times only to reassemble on the upper beach adjacent to the creek lagoon; photos."
Sooty Tern (Onychoprion fuscatus) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Jul 23, 2026 13:02 by Ann Stockert
- Arroyo Grande Creek mouth, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.6287241&<ll...>,-120.6287241 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S375636214 - Media: 16 Photos
- Comments: "Distinctly larger than a nearby Common Tern. This was an adult with a jet-black back, black cap, white forehead, solid black loral-line, clean white underside, and all dark primaries below with white coverts. Lack of a pale collar and broken loral-line ruled out a Bridled. Photos"
Sooty Tern (Onychoprion fuscatus) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Jul 23, 2026 12:57 by Mark Mushkat
- Arroyo Grande Creek mouth, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.6287241&<ll...>,-120.6287241 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S375575003 - Media: 3 Photos
- Comments: "Found by Luke Jensen in a resting flock of hundreds of terns. Above, black from crown to forked tail tips. Underparts white. White v shaped forehead, black bill comparable to length of nearby ELTE."
Sooty Tern (Onychoprion fuscatus) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Jul 23, 2026 11:00 by Luke Jensen
- Arroyo Grande Creek mouth, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.6287241&<ll...>,-120.6287241 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S375585695 - Media: 3 Videos, 20 Photos
- Comments: "Found in large tern flock at 11:06 Am. Strikingly darker and smaller than other terns around it. Darker and bigger bridled tern. Couldn’t believe my eyes when I found it. I am sure others will have more details like Herb, KH and maybe Barry and others. Pictures and short video clips will be posted in a few hours."
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/
Date: 7/23/26 5:06 pm From: Ginger Langdon-Lassagne via groups.io <binzer...> Subject: [slocobirding] Town Hall tonight for California Bird Atlas!
Hi Folks - sorry to be spamming you, but it seems that the Zoom reminders system has let us down (yet again) for letting everyone who signed up that TONIGHT is the Bird Atlas Town Hall.
If you’ve already registered, please check your past emails for the link.
If you haven’t registered yet, it’s not too late! CBA Town Hall is tonight, 7:00 PM
Hope this helps! And, as always, if you can’t make it tonight, you can always catch it on the rerun at the project’s YouTube channel. I’ll posts a link to it when it comes out, early next week.
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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.
eBird encourages safe, responsible birding. Some reports may be from private property. Respect access restrictions and follow the rules wherever you bird. For more information, visit the eBird and Merlin Community Guidelines: https://ebird.org/community-guidelines. Stay connected to the global birding community with eBird Updates: https://mailchi.mp/cornell/ebird-updates-sign-up-page.
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/
Date: 7/21/26 1:07 am From: eBird alert via groups.io <alert.ebird...> Subject: [slocobirding] [eBird Alert] San Luis Obispo County Rare Bird Alert
*** Species Summary:
- Marbled Murrelet (2 reports)
- Western x Clark's Grebe (hybrid) (4 reports)
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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.
eBird encourages safe, responsible birding. Some reports may be from private property. Respect access restrictions and follow the rules wherever you bird. For more information, visit the eBird and Merlin Community Guidelines: https://ebird.org/community-guidelines. Stay connected to the global birding community with eBird Updates: https://mailchi.mp/cornell/ebird-updates-sign-up-page.
Marbled Murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Jul 19, 2026 09:07 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/S374332999 - Media: 2 Photos
- Comments: "We moved to this location after observing a Marbled Murrelet from Lucerne Dr. a few minutes earlier, hoping for a closer view. From the end of the pier, we were able to observe the bird much better and clearly see the lighter undertail along with the paler markings on the face, neck, and back. Photographs also revealed a light stripe at the base of each wing that was not visible through the scope. Throughout our visit, the bird remained in the vicinity of the green buoy, slightly closer to shore, where it spent most of its time diving and swimming."
Marbled Murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Jul 19, 2026 08:15 by Pair of Wing-Nuts
- Lucerne Street Overlook, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.9092547&<ll...>,-120.9092547 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S374322876 - Media: 1 Photo
- Comments: "This small alcid was observed approximately 50 yards shoreward of the green buoy, where it spent much of the time preening. Although the bird appeared relatively dark through the scope, over a 30-minute period we were able to get views of the tail, which was frequently held high, revealing a pale undertail. We also noted paler markings on the face, neck, and back."
Western x Clark's Grebe (hybrid) (Aechmophorus occidentalis x clarkii) (3)
- Reported Jul 20, 2026 09:31 by Michael Moss
- Santa Margarita Lake, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.4874811&<ll...>,-120.4874811 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S374482174 - Media: 6 Photos
- Comments: "Slight black feathering below eye flanks are paler bill is at base of mandible little brighter orange pics 1 on 2 swimming 2 mic pairs"
Western x Clark's Grebe (hybrid) (Aechmophorus occidentalis x clarkii) (3)
- Reported Jul 20, 2026 09:31 by Robbie & Bob Revel
- Santa Margarita Lake, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.4874811&<ll...>,-120.4874811 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S374499057 - Media: 6 Photos
- Comments: "Slight black feathering below eye flanks are paler bill is at base of mandible little brighter orange pics 1 on 2 swimming 2 mic pairs"
Western x Clark's Grebe (hybrid) (Aechmophorus occidentalis x clarkii) (3)
- Reported Jul 20, 2026 09:31 by Kevin Zimmer
- Santa Margarita Lake, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.4874811&<ll...>,-120.4874811 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S374540783 - Media: 6 Photos
- Comments: "Slight black feathering below eye flanks are paler bill is at base of mandible little brighter orange pics 1 on 2 swimming 2 mic pairs"
Western x Clark's Grebe (hybrid) (Aechmophorus occidentalis x clarkii) (3)
- Reported Jul 20, 2026 09:31 by Christine Hogue
- Santa Margarita Lake, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.4874811&<ll...>,-120.4874811 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S374588781 - Media: 6 Photos
- Comments: "Slight black feathering below eye flanks are paler bill is at base of mandible little brighter orange pics 1 on 2 swimming 2 mic pairs"
***********
You received this message because you are subscribed to eBird's San Luis Obispo County Rare Bird Alert
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/
Date: 7/19/26 9:23 am From: Ginger Langdon-Lassagne via groups.io <binzer...> Subject: Re: [slocobirding] California Bird Atlas updates - SAVE THE DATE 07/23 @7pm
Hi Again - I’ve been asked by a few folks to follow up on this message below. We have a wonderful “how to” video on YouTube, which describes the steps needed to switch a standard eBird checklist to one for the California Bird Atlas:
> On Jul 17, 2026, at 12:54 PM, Ginger Langdon-Lassagne via groups.io <binzer...> wrote:
>
> Hi folks!
>
> There’s lots to report from the California Bird Atlas. First of all, please join us on July 23rd at 7pm for the next Town Hall meeting on Zoom! We’ll be discussing the late-breeding birds of California, so even if you’re not a frequent Atlas contributor, it should be a fascinating, fun discussion! Here are the links: Register via Zoom <https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_rmJ-dlOVSD2ScPlf5HWePg#/registration> | Submit a question <https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdnWjR4UApjRAPx0ErxR3y9dqFUNSzZ_KekPtbVGH_6JCrHIA/viewform?usp=dialog>.
>
> If you haven’t already seen it, there’s also a new Atlas Dispatch, with all the latest data from June: https://ebird.org/atlascalifornia/news/atlas-dispatch-june-2026 >
> Highlights in this Dispatch include the latest tools we’re using to improve the data collection process: Code Check, and the new, updated version of Blockboard (now much more mobile-friendly!) Definitely worth a read.
>
> If there’s one thing I’d like to ask folks to understand, it’s this: if you’re submitting eBird checklists with breeding codes, but aren’t signed in with an Atlas Checklist, that data will not be added until the very end of the project, about 4.5 years from now. We will lack the information of those non-Atlas breeding records as we try to figure out which species are unconfirmed and which Atlas blocks are under-birded! So please, if you’re finding these breeding behaviors in the field, take a moment to make sure you are logged in and submitting to the data… FOR SCIENCE!
>
> Thanks to all of those who have been putting in so much work for the project. Stay tuned for more updates!
>
> Bird on,
> Ginger Langdon-Lassagne
> SLO county regiona coordinator
> California Bird Atlas
>
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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.
eBird encourages safe, responsible birding. Some reports may be from private property. Respect access restrictions and follow the rules wherever you bird. For more information, visit the eBird and Merlin Community Guidelines: https://ebird.org/community-guidelines. Stay connected to the global birding community with eBird Updates: https://mailchi.mp/cornell/ebird-updates-sign-up-page.
Ashy Storm-Petrel (Hydrobates homochroa) (1)
- Reported Jul 12, 2026 11:18 by Kevin Zimmer
- North Pacific Ocean, 35.27455, -121.25971, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-121.259707&<ll...>,-121.259707 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S372263914 - Comments: "Smaller storm-petrel from Black with quicker and shallower wingbeats and smaller, more compact appearance. A few participants got on this bird before we got distracted by more murrelets."
***********
You received this message because you are subscribed to eBird's San Luis Obispo County Rare Bird Alert
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/
---------------------------------------------
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.
eBird encourages safe, responsible birding. Some reports may be from private property. Respect access restrictions and follow the rules wherever you bird. For more information, visit the eBird and Merlin Community Guidelines: https://ebird.org/community-guidelines. Stay connected to the global birding community with eBird Updates: https://mailchi.mp/cornell/ebird-updates-sign-up-page.
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/
Date: 7/17/26 12:54 pm From: Ginger Langdon-Lassagne via groups.io <binzer...> Subject: [slocobirding] California Bird Atlas updates - SAVE THE DATE 07/23 @7pm
Highlights in this Dispatch include the latest tools we’re using to improve the data collection process: Code Check, and the new, updated version of Blockboard (now much more mobile-friendly!) Definitely worth a read.
If there’s one thing I’d like to ask folks to understand, it’s this: if you’re submitting eBird checklists with breeding codes, but aren’t signed in with an Atlas Checklist, that data will not be added until the very end of the project, about 4.5 years from now. We will lack the information of those non-Atlas breeding records as we try to figure out which species are unconfirmed and which Atlas blocks are under-birded! So please, if you’re finding these breeding behaviors in the field, take a moment to make sure you are logged in and submitting to the data… FOR SCIENCE!
Thanks to all of those who have been putting in so much work for the project. Stay tuned for more updates!
Bird on,
Ginger Langdon-Lassagne
SLO county regiona coordinator
California Bird Atlas
Date: 7/17/26 10:39 am From: Rubba Johanna via groups.io <jer72701...> Subject: [slocobirding] Oystercatcher chick
While scanning the landscape at Shell Beach for the Shorebird Survey, one of us found a pair of Black Oysercatchers with a chick. Not a common sight, I think. They were on the stoneface of a cliff a short way above the waterline. Location: bluffs below the Inn at the Cove, 2651 Price St, Pismo Beach.
I have a video taken by Layla Solomon. I'll try to post it on eBird, but I'm afraid I'm not at all familiar with how to do so.
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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.
eBird encourages safe, responsible birding. Some reports may be from private property. Respect access restrictions and follow the rules wherever you bird. For more information, visit the eBird and Merlin Community Guidelines: https://ebird.org/community-guidelines. Stay connected to the global birding community with eBird Updates: https://mailchi.mp/cornell/ebird-updates-sign-up-page.
Blue-winged Teal (Spatula discors) (2) CONFIRMED
- Reported Jul 15, 2026 13:47 by Kathi Marston
- Sweet Springs Nature Preserve, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.8422726&<ll...>,-120.8422726 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S372543273 - Media: 4 Photos
- Comments: "Continuing. Hard to get looks at them with their heads out of the water, but you could see the white crescent by dark bill. Smaller than nearby Mallards. Has a dark eye-line, longer blue-green tertials on back and a grayer/brown over all tone. One displayed a green wing secondary, but I decided they were both BWTE upon examining the photos."
Long-tailed Duck (Clangula hyemalis) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Jul 15, 2026 09:40 by Petra Clayton
- Bayshore Bluffs Park, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.845906&<ll...>,-120.845906 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S372601031 - Media: 1 Video, 5 Photos
- Comments: "Same female that has been present in the bay since 7/4/26.
Overall brown and whitish. Round head; whitish face and neck; very dark cheek patch; dark bill.
It was diving constantly as it was actively foraging.
Third-ever eBird report of this species viewed from this eBird hotspot. Prior reports 3/17/1996 and 1/19/2024."
American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Jul 13, 2026 09:58 by Tom Edell
- West Hazard Canyon--Montana de Oro SP, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.8812916&<ll...>,-120.8812916 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S371835915 - Media: 11 Photos
- Comments: "Continuing bird foraging on the second shelf-reef down coast from Hazard Canyon. Updating my original Jehl score based on new photos, I scored this bird at 29-31. The secondary coverts have grown in and there appeared to be more black feathers (many with white fringes) on the breast below the solid black border. There is still a little dusky color on the outer bill and the bird is still molting. It still retains its old outer three primaries and secondaries, which were a faded brown color. There is a gap in the primaries that will soon be filled by an emerging primary. This bird fed with three Black Oystercatchers. It resembles the Baja California subspecies frazari, though how one would separate it from a Channel Islands hybrid is unclear to me. (Photos)"
Arctic Tern (Sterna paradisaea) (1)
- Reported Jul 15, 2026 10:38 by Tom Edell
- Morro Strand State Beach, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.8678892&<ll...>,-120.8678892 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S372532870 - Media: 3 Photos
- Comments: "Smaller than Elegant Terns with dark legs and an all black bill with a faint red tinge. Legs appear short in photos but length not noted in the field. White forehead with black extending from eye to rear crown and nape. Gray upper parts and white below. I was never able to see a dark carpal bar and never saw the bird in flight. I suspect this is a second year bird. The bird was initially passed off as a Common Tern. This is the earliest July record for the county. (Photos)"
Common Tern (Sterna hirundo) (1)
- Reported Jul 15, 2026 12:32 by Andrew Fleming
- Morro Strand State Beach, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.8678892&<ll...>,-120.8678892 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S372577721 - Media: 5 Photos
- Comments: "Continuing immature found earlier by Tom. Smaller than nearby Elegant Terns with an all black bill and partial back cap. Took a few digibin pictures for ID. Was initially sitting and bathing in the pond at the Alva Paul Creek mouth with some of the Elegants, then moved out onto the sand and stood just a bit removed from the main big flock."
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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/
Date: 7/16/26 3:58 pm From: Tom Edell via groups.io <TEdell...> Subject: [slocobirding] Upcoming Boat trip
Forwarded for Reef Comer:
I’m currently planning a pelagic with a friend of mine to hopefully get us out at the very least, on the edge of the continental shelf, if not deeper. Main goal is Cook’s Petrel, which seems to be prevalent off our coast this year, but can always turn up something even more unexpected, especially with El Niño conditions looming. Still waiting to hear back about exact date and prices, but wanted to put this out here to give folks a heads up. Going to shoot for early August!
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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.
eBird encourages safe, responsible birding. Some reports may be from private property. Respect access restrictions and follow the rules wherever you bird. For more information, visit the eBird and Merlin Community Guidelines: https://ebird.org/community-guidelines. Stay connected to the global birding community with eBird Updates: https://mailchi.mp/cornell/ebird-updates-sign-up-page.
King Eider (Somateria spectabilis) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Jul 14, 2026 19:42 by Fox Vasquez
- 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/S372228238 - Media: 1 Photo
- Comments: "Continuing female enjoying her spot on the wooden platform of the southern oyster farm. Bulky brown duck with diagnostic white patch and bar under wing. Good viewpoint from (35.3319864, -120.8425659)."
Long-tailed Duck (Clangula hyemalis) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Jul 10, 2026 09:20 by Petra Clayton
- Tidelands Park, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.8514118&<ll...>,-120.8514118 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S370449195 - Media: 1 Video, 8 Photos
- Comments: "Continuing female on the sandspit beach, mostly preening.
Overall brown and whitish. Round head; whitish face and neck; light brown crown; very dark dark cheek patch; dark bill."
Vaux's Swift (Chaetura vauxi) (3)
- Reported Jul 15, 2026 05:51 by Ben Kolstad
- Atascadero Lake, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.6667256&<ll...>,-120.6667256 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S372374920 - Media: 2 Photos
- Comments: "Small brown swifts all over in the very dark morning light. Could easily have been 6 or 7 of them but I’m sure of at minimum 3. Easy to pick out from the purple martins and violet greens."
American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Jul 14, 2026 17:30 by Fox Vasquez
- West Hazard Canyon--Montana de Oro SP, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.8812916&<ll...>,-120.8812916 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S372218650 - Media: 1 Photo
- Comments: "Continuing oystercatcher, observed foraging around (35.2876722, -120.8833207) for about 5 minutes before flying a few hundred yards south. Dark brown mantle, black head and clean white belly."
Sabine's Gull (Xema sabini) (1)
- Reported Jul 12, 2026 12:39 by Kevin Zimmer
- North Pacific Ocean, 35.20743, -121.20529, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-121.205288&<ll...>,-121.205288 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S372263932 - Media: 10 Photos
- Comments: "First spotted sitting in the water. Small compared to two adjacent western gulls floating nearby. Striking black, white, gray wing pattern seen in flight. Photos to be added"
Nazca Booby (Sula granti) (1)
- Reported Jul 12, 2026 13:38 by Kevin Zimmer
- North Pacific Ocean, 35.21777, -121.09886, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-121.098864&<ll...>,-121.098864 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S372263939 - Media: 23 Photos
- Comments: "Large white seabird sitting in water. “Messy” plummage. Orangish bill. Suspected to be a different individual than the Booby we saw on an earlier list today. Photos to be added."
Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus) (1)
- Reported Jul 13, 2026 18:00 by Jim Royer
- My House, 337 Henrietta Ave., Los Osos US-CA (35.3172,-120.8507), San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.8507143&<ll...>,-120.8507143 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S372446415 - Comments: "A compact accipiter that circled around near the house before disappearing to the northwest. The wing flapping was sharp and quick in little or no wind. There was very little head projection, the tail was squared off with little noticeable light terminal tail band. Cooper’s is definitely the expected accipiter now, but this looked to be a Sharp-shinned. We have no known Cooper’s or Sharp-shunned nesting nearby this year, although in recent last years Cooper’s have nested nearby. It was an adult."
Swainson's Hawk (Buteo swainsoni) (1)
- Reported Jul 14, 2026 07:24 by Will Knowlton
- Cholame Valley (SLO Co.), San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.3057475&<ll...>,-120.3057475 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S372457774 - Media: 1 Photo
- Comments: "Continuing individual near the county line that has been previously observed at this location on May 28, June 4, and July 9, 2026. It's continued presence in this area makes me think it likely nested nearby, possibly just north of the county border in Monterey County."
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You received this message because you are subscribed to eBird's San Luis Obispo County Rare Bird Alert
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/
Date: 7/15/26 8:19 am From: Bob Revel via groups.io <robrev...> Subject: Re: [slocobirding] Welcome back, Dozer!
Welcome back, Dozer – glad you will be here for the MBBF this year. The funding for this research project was cut by the Federal Gov. and you know who. There were so many of these worthy projects that were discontinued, it would be impossible to refund them all. Heather, the researcher that banded Dozer and his mate, was here for the festival 2 years ago and was able to see Dozer for the first time on his wintering grounds. A lot of knowledge was gained during the years of the study. Grateful for all of that.
From: <slocobirding...> <slocobirding...> On Behalf Of petra schaaf via groups.io
Sent: Wednesday, July 15, 2026 1:25 AM
To: Slocobirding <slocobirding...>
Subject: Re: [slocobirding] Welcome back, Dozer!
I am happy to report our first encounter with Dozer since 2024. We never saw him last year.
On Sunday, July 5, 2026 at 03:14:10 PM PDT, Kaaren Perry via groups.io <surfbird1...> <mailto:<surfbird1...> > wrote:
Hi Carol.
Thanks for the updated summary. What a guy! Still sad that the funding for the project had been called off, indefinitely I assume. Too bad that MCAS and other Audubon chapters didn't take up a fund raising drive for the possibility of renewing the monitoring research project. Seems that it would be a well received donation venue. I sure know I for one would help with a little $ if I knew it was going to help. I imagine it is too late now?
On Jul 5, 2026, at 8:22 AM, RoserComeau via groups.io <80comros...> <mailto:<80comros...> > wrote:
A big congratulations to Anne Marie Bergen for spotting and photographing our celebrity Long-billed Curlew, MV Dozer, at Morro Strand State Beach on July 3rd. For those new to the SLOCO Birding Group, here's some background:
· Dozer was banded and fitted with a satellite transmitter by the Intermountain Bird Observatory in May 2020, at his breeding grounds in Indian Valley in Idaho's West Central Mountains.
· Local birder Petra Clayton first spotted Dozer on Sunday, June 21, 2020, at Morro Strand State Beach. This marks his 6th non-breeding season on the Central Coast, where he's frequently seen near Alva Paul on Morro Strand. In 2025, the Tillmans spotted him on June 28th.
· On September 11, 2024, Dozer's transmitter went silent after he lost part of the antenna on his "backpack" unit — a small piece of it is still visible.
· Mimi, Dozer's mate, was banded in early May 2021 at Indian Valley, ID. Her transmitter kept working until May 29, 2025, last signaling from an agricultural field in Mexico (32.159160, -115.075530). Since the signal hadn't moved since January, she's presumed deceased.
· Funding for the curlew monitoring program ended several years ago, so we can't confirm whether Dozer has found a new mate or had a successful breeding season this year. He's expected to stick around the Central Coast until March, so keep an eye out — you might get lucky with a sighting of our famous curlew! And even without funding, I still pass along Dozer sightings to the researchers.
Date: 7/15/26 6:48 am From: <iseekbirds...> via groups.io <iseekbirds...> Subject: [slocobirding] Not SLO County but Close Enough-Lesser Nighthawk Show
Not San Luis Obispo County but far northern SB County. Last night, the Lesser Nighthawk show at the middle pond at the Santa Maria Mesa Road Ponds hotspot was truly impressive. We have a few more warm, buggy nights. It's worth your time if interested. The show started around 8:15 p.m. last night.
John Deacon
<iseekbirds...>
Date: 7/15/26 1:25 am From: petra schaaf via groups.io <pcschaaf...> Subject: Re: [slocobirding] Welcome back, Dozer!
I am happy to report our first encounter with Dozer since 2024. We never saw him last year.
I added a link to a Flickr video to our eBird checklist.
Petra ClaytonLos Osos, CA
On Sunday, July 5, 2026 at 03:14:10 PM PDT, Kaaren Perry via groups.io <surfbird1...> wrote:
Hi Carol.
Thanks for the updated summary. What a guy! Still sad that the funding for the project had been called off, indefinitely I assume. Too bad that MCAS and other Audubon chapters didn't take up a fund raising drive for the possibility of renewing the monitoring research project. Seems that it would be a well received donation venue. I sure know I for one would help with a little $ if I knew it was going to help. I imagine it is too late now?
Happy After 4th!
Kaaren Perry
Morro Bay
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kaarenp/
On Jul 5, 2026, at 8:22 AM, RoserComeau via groups.io <80comros...> wrote:
A big congratulations to Anne Marie Bergen for spotting andphotographing our celebrity Long-billed Curlew, MV Dozer, at Morro Strand StateBeach on July 3rd. For those new to the SLOCO Birding Group, here's somebackground:
· Dozerwas banded and fitted with a satellite transmitter by the Intermountain BirdObservatory in May 2020, at his breeding grounds in Indian Valley in Idaho'sWest Central Mountains.
· Localbirder Petra Clayton first spotted Dozer on Sunday, June 21, 2020, at MorroStrand State Beach. This marks his 6th non-breeding season on the CentralCoast, where he's frequently seen near Alva Paul on Morro Strand. In 2025, theTillmans spotted him on June 28th.
· OnSeptember 11, 2024, Dozer's transmitter went silent after he lost part of theantenna on his "backpack" unit — a small piece of it is stillvisible.
· Mimi,Dozer's mate, was banded in early May 2021 at Indian Valley, ID. Hertransmitter kept working until May 29, 2025, last signaling from anagricultural field in Mexico (32.159160, -115.075530). Since the signal hadn'tmoved since January, she's presumed deceased.
· Fundingfor the curlew monitoring program ended several years ago, so we can't confirmwhether Dozer has found a new mate or had a successful breeding season thisyear. He's expected to stick around the Central Coast until March, so keep aneye out — you might get lucky with a sighting of our famous curlew! And evenwithout funding, I still pass along Dozer sightings to the researchers.
---------------------------------------------
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.
eBird encourages safe, responsible birding. Some reports may be from private property. Respect access restrictions and follow the rules wherever you bird. For more information, visit the eBird and Merlin Community Guidelines: https://ebird.org/community-guidelines. Stay connected to the global birding community with eBird Updates: https://mailchi.mp/cornell/ebird-updates-sign-up-page.
Ashy Storm-Petrel (Hydrobates homochroa) (1)
- Reported Jul 12, 2026 11:18 by Russ Namitz
- North Pacific Ocean, 35.27455, -121.25971, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-121.259707&<ll...>,-121.259707 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S371696581 - Comments: "Smaller storm-petrel from Black with quicker and shallower wingbeats and smaller, more compact appearance. A few participants got on this bird before we got distracted by more murrelets."
Ashy Storm-Petrel (Hydrobates homochroa) (1)
- Reported Jul 12, 2026 11:18 by Ann Stockert
- North Pacific Ocean, 35.27455, -121.25971, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-121.259707&<ll...>,-121.259707 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S371716599 - Comments: "Smaller storm-petrel from Black with quicker and shallower wingbeats and smaller, more compact appearance. A few participants got on this bird before we got distracted by more murrelets."
Ashy Storm-Petrel (Hydrobates homochroa) (1)
- Reported Jul 12, 2026 11:18 by Reef Comer
- North Pacific Ocean, 35.27455, -121.25971, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-121.259707&<ll...>,-121.259707 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S371468750 - Comments: "Smaller storm-petrel from Black with quicker and shallower wingbeats and smaller, more compact appearance. A few participants got on this bird before we got distracted by more murrelets."
Nazca Booby (Sula granti) (1)
- Reported Jul 12, 2026 09:12 by Reef Comer
- North Pacific Ocean, 35.35579, -121.04882, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-121.048819&<ll...>,-121.048819 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S371468798 - Media: 8 Photos
- Comments: "Update: After reviewing photos, there appears to be a slight pinkish cast to bill favoring Nazca over Masked. Even in these blurry photos, Masked should show a greener-yellow cast to the bill at this age. We were also able to view a second NABO from a similar age class under better viewing conditions and see a similar bill coloration. https://ebird.org/checklist/S371696758
Large booby seen from the bow flying south away from the boat. Unable to definitively ID in the field due to direction of flight."
Nazca Booby (Sula granti) (1)
- Reported Jul 12, 2026 09:12 by Mike Bush
- North Pacific Ocean, 35.35579, -121.04882, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-121.048819&<ll...>,-121.048819 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S371470272 - Media: 8 Photos
- Comments: "Update: After reviewing photos, there appears to be a slight pinkish cast to bill favoring Nazca over Masked. Even in these blurry photos, Masked should show a greener-yellow cast to the bill at this age. We were also able to view a second NABO from a similar age class under better viewing conditions and see a similar bill coloration. https://ebird.org/checklist/S371696758
Large booby seen from the bow flying south away from the boat. Unable to definitively ID in the field due to direction of flight."
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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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