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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 our users to bird safely, responsibly, and mindfully. Please follow the recommendations of your local health authorities and respect any active travel restrictions in your area. For more information visit: https://ebird.org/news/please-bird-mindfully
Semipalmated Sandpiper (Calidris pusilla) (1)
- Reported Aug 03, 2025 18:17 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/S264924555 - Media: 1 Photo
- Comments: "Continuing juvenile. Thankfully was in a small group of peeps close to overlook of first large pond. Just slightly larger than least with scaly- patterned, pale grayish upperside, faint wash on breast, dark cap, short, straight, blunt-tipped bill, and black legs.
Possibly 2 individuals, as I saw another at the further large pond with the majority of peeps, but this could’ve easily been the first bird, as that one flew a couple times and didn’t see it on way back."
Semipalmated Sandpiper (Calidris pusilla) (1)
- Reported Aug 03, 2025 18:17 by Lou McGonagill
- 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/S265101522 - Media: 1 Photo
- Comments: "Continuing juvenile. Thankfully was in a small group of peeps close to overlook of first large pond. Just slightly larger than least with scaly- patterned, pale grayish upperside, faint wash on breast, dark cap, short, straight, blunt-tipped bill, and black legs.
Possibly 2 individuals, as I saw another at the further large pond with the majority of peeps, but this could’ve easily been the first bird, as that one flew a couple times and didn’t see it on way back."
Neotropic Cormorant (Nannopterum brasilianum) (1)
- Reported Aug 04, 2025 12:49 by Josh McLaughlin
- Lucerne Dr. Vista Point -- Cayucos, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.9141691&<ll...>,-120.9141691 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S265077447 - Media: 1 Photo
- Comments: "With group of DCCOs on beach just below bluff, noticeably smaller and trimmer with longer tail, yellow gular pouch with pointed rear corner rules out PECO, pics"
Reddish Egret (Egretta rufescens) (1)
- Reported Aug 04, 2025 08:08 by Carol Comeau
- Villa Creek--Estero Bluffs State Park, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.9688341&<ll...>,-120.9688341 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S265086868 - Media: 1 Photo
- Comments: "Continuing. First seen foraging near creek mouth. At 11:10 AM it flew over head going south. It landed on some rocks just south of the Villa Creek beach. Photo."
Reddish Egret (Egretta rufescens) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Aug 03, 2025 08:32 by Anonymous eBirder
- Villa Creek--Estero Bluffs State Park, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.9688341&<ll...>,-120.9688341 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S264867740 - Media: 1 Photo
- Comments: "Continuing in lagoon. Unmoving lump. Ashen blue with ruddy on face and a few spots elsewhere. Pale eye. Smaller than nearby egret. Distant photo."
Reddish Egret (Egretta rufescens) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Aug 03, 2025 07:19 by Pair of Wing-Nuts
- Villa Creek--Estero Bluffs State Park, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.9688341&<ll...>,-120.9688341 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S264901556 - Media: 2 Photos
- Comments: "Continuing juvenile bird observed feeding with larger Great Egret and Great Blue Heron up creek from lagoon. Mostly bluish gray above with long neck and reddish hues on sides of head and heavy black beak."
Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Aug 03, 2025 10:45 by The Spotting Twohees
- Villa Creek Road, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.9773589&<ll...>,-120.9773589 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S264919614 - Media: 1 Photo
- Comments: "The group chased the bird up Villa Creek Rd where it was relocated here within a few minutes, 35.476999, -120.977357 From this location the group saw it flying high overhead. By the time I arrived a few minutes later it was circling and drifting eastward. A few poor photos were taken. Distingished from TUVU by all black underwing and very light gray primaries, tail was noticably shorter than TUVU. No red was visible on the head. The bird flew farther east and was not seen again during this outing."
Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Aug 03, 2025 10:39 by Anonymous eBirder
- Villa Creek Road, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.9773589&<ll...>,-120.9773589 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S264867335 - Media: 4 Photos
- Comments: "Continuing. Silvery white primaries, white legs, grey head. Seemed darker and stockier than turkey vultures. Shorter tail too. Wings appeared to lay flatter than a turkey vulture’s v-shape in flight. Circled and soared high in thermals, once or twice passing over caravan of cars and birders. Photo"
The bird was observed this morning flying with a flock of Turkey Vultures northeast of Villa Creek near the entrance to Villa Creek Road. A few birders drove north to Villa Creek Road and relocated it flying very high
Compared to the nearby Turkey Vultures this bird was overall smaller, broader winged, darker colored; shorter tail, and with white-tipped wings."
Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Aug 03, 2025 10:38 by Petra Clayton
- Villa Creek Road, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.9773589&<ll...>,-120.9773589 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S264855866 - Media: 6 Photos
- Comments: "Continuing since July 31, 2025 (Luke Jensen)
Seen mostly from the underside as the vulture was soaring overhead. Overall black; dark featherless head; dark bill; white, black-tipped finger-like outer primaries that appeared somewhat translucent; short, square tail; light-colored legs; non-rocking gliding flight with very few flaps; wings were not held in a dihedral (V) shape as with Turkey Vultures, but rather horizontally straight across.
Click on the image below for a Flickr video, showing the Black Vulture in flight:
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jack-petra-clayton/54698725810/in/dateposted-public/" title="Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus), Cayucos, CA"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/31337/54698725810_d615f7401c_z.jpg" alt="Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus), Cayucos, CA" /></a>"
Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Aug 03, 2025 10:36 by Pair of Wing-Nuts
- Villa Creek Road, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.9773589&<ll...>,-120.9773589 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S264911627 - Media: 5 Photos
- Comments: "Refound continuing bird (Luke Jensen 07.31.25) soaring in an easterly direction above Villa Creek Road at approximately (35°28'54.7"N 120°58'38.5"W). The vulture was gaining altitude quickly on wide, flat wings. Despite the altitude, its black head, short tail, distinctive white legs and feet and "white wing-mittens" comprised of white primaries were easily seen. Bird was in view for approximately 12-15 minutes but was eventually lost to the altitude and easterly flight path."
The bird was observed this morning flying with a flock of Turkey Vultures northeast of Villa Creek near the entrance to Villa Creek Road. A few birders drove north to Villa Creek Road and relocated it flying very high
Compared to the nearby Turkey Vultures this bird was overall smaller, broader winged, darker colored; shorter tail, and with white-tipped wings."
Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus) (1)
- Reported Aug 03, 2025 07:19 by Pair of Wing-Nuts
- Villa Creek--Estero Bluffs State Park, San Luis Obispo, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.9688341&<ll...>,-120.9688341 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S264901556 - Comments: "Observed continuing bird (Luke Jensen 07.31.25) from vantage point on south end of main Villa Creek beach (35°27'29.1"N 120°57'54.7"W). First spotted by KH about 1.2 miles NW of our position, the bird was starting it's ascent near and above hillside here (35°28'22.8"N 120°58'38.8"W ). Distinguished in flight from developing kettle of Turkey Vultures by its repeated, shallow and relatively rapid wing beats this bird's signature outer wing "white mittens" were easily seen as the morning sun chased off a stubborn marine layer. As the vulture disappeared behind some hills along Villa Creek Road we headed for our vehicles to get closer as it headed east."
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