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Thank you for subscribing to the <daily> Santa Barbara County Rare Bird Alert. The report below shows observations of rare birds in Santa Barbara County. View or unsubscribe to this alert at https://ebird.org/alert/summary?sid=SN35915 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.
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata) (1)
- Reported Sep 05, 2026 12:13 by Craig Prater
- 7402 - 7418 Hollister Ave (Tech Park), Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-119.8908561&<ll...>,-119.8908561 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S390071358 - Comments: "On north edge of eucalyptus grove. Saw warbler with gray head/body/wings and pale yellow and off-white belly. Sound ID by multiple calls in Merlin as Yellow-rumped (have recordings), but did not get photos."
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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: 9/4/26 4:52 pm From: eBird alert via groups.io <alert.ebird...> Subject: [sbcobirding] [eBird Alert] Santa Barbara County Rare Bird Alert
*** Species Summary:
- Rock Pigeon (1 report)
---------------------------------------------
Thank you for subscribing to the <daily> Santa Barbara County Rare Bird Alert. The report below shows observations of rare birds in Santa Barbara County. View or unsubscribe to this alert at https://ebird.org/alert/summary?sid=SN35915 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/
Steve Colwell and I birded the beach at Coal Oil Point Reserve yesterday, starting at the Isla Vista end shortly after sunrise. Activity was good. Suring the month of August, I saw the Black-bellied Plover population drop significantly (less than 20 birds one day) but it has risen again in the last few visits.
We had well over 100 Black-bellies yesterday, the majority in a resting flock of 93 at the Ellwood end of the beach. Because the flock was quiet, we carefully sorted through them one by one but could not turn up a Golden-Plover of either species. However, we found with the flock 3 Short-billed Dowitchers and the same Ruddy Turnstone I'd found in that vicinity the previous day. It was a crazy bird to watch! It turns over and thrashed through pies of kelp like a bull-dozer.*
We had up to 8 Forester's Terns on the beach but no sign of the reported Black Tern. Numerous Elegant terns were feeding in the ocean when we first arrived, but the flock on the beach was not particularly large. We also found two juvenile Red Knots on the Island Vista part of the beach on our return walk.
Some general trends over the several visits during August:1. The number of Whimbrels has gradually decreased.
2. The number of Willets has increased until they are among the most common species after Long-billed Curlews and Black Bellied Plovers.
3. Sanderlings have been very late to appear in any numbers. We had 15 birds yesterday, 9 of them juveniles and I think that's the most so far.
4. I haven't had any obvious Juvenile Black-bellies at COPR, though I found one on the UCSB Beach last week.
5. Elegant Tern numbers have been as high as 53 birds resting on the beach, though not so yesterday.
6. Red-necked Phalarope numbers are very high. We had one on the beach yesterday, and I found 85 of them in Devereux Slough after our walk. A bird we met on the beach had jogged his way from NCOS past the Dune Pond and Devereux and achieved a combined total of over 170 birds.
Florence Sanchez
* Armando Aispuro (Plover docent) told us he'd had a Ruddy Turnstone and a Black Turnstone together but nearer the east end of the beach. I didn't ask to see his photo so I don't know if it was the Same Ruddy or a different one. I suspect the latter.
Date: 9/3/26 3:31 pm From: Florence Sanchez via groups.io <sanchezucsb11...> Subject: [sbcobirding] LLC at Dawn Sept. 3
I made a second attempt this summer to turn up a Lesser Nighthawk at this location. NO luck again this morning, but I enjoyed watching the sun rise and the Lake come to life as the sky lightened.
I also tried for Nighthawks at the Dune pond on the evening of August 30. NO luck there either, though there was a lot of activity over the pond and th sunset was beautiful.
Florence SanchezPS--I recommend checking out the LLC overflow pond along Calle Real. The water is getting quite low and it was full of Great Egrets this morning (25 of them, plus a few Snowies). If the water lever continues to drop, it could be a good place for interesting shorebirds. (I used to get Pectoral Sandpipers there many years ago.). There is adequate space by the eucalyptus trees to pull off Calle Real and park on the dirt.
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Thank you for subscribing to the <daily> Santa Barbara County Rare Bird Alert. The report below shows observations of rare birds in Santa Barbara County. View or unsubscribe to this alert at https://ebird.org/alert/summary?sid=SN35915 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: 9/2/26 4:33 pm From: Daniel Farrar via groups.io <jdanielfarrar...> Subject: [sbcobirding] Ocean Park Sept 11
Hi folks,
I've gotten word from base that signs and ropes will come down on September 11th this year allowing access to the beaches at Ocean Park and Surf Beach. If anything changes I will let you all know!
Date: 9/2/26 1:32 pm From: eBird alert via groups.io <alert.ebird...> Subject: [sbcobirding] [eBird Alert] Santa Barbara County Rare Bird Alert
*** Species Summary:
- Northern Waterthrush (1 report)
---------------------------------------------
Thank you for subscribing to the <daily> Santa Barbara County Rare Bird Alert. The report below shows observations of rare birds in Santa Barbara County. View or unsubscribe to this alert at https://ebird.org/alert/summary?sid=SN35915 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.
Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis) (1)
- Reported Sep 01, 2026 12:33 by Spencer Seale
- Carpinteria Creek, Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-119.5140259&<ll...>,-119.5140259 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S388955046 - Media: 3 Photos
- Comments: "A very confiding individual observed foraging along the creek bank near the 6th street entrance. Medium-sized, plump warbler with dark brown upperparts and yellowish underparts featuring dense, dark streaking and a fine-speckled throat. Displayed a distinct buffy-yellowish supercilium of even width and continuous tail-bobbing behavior while walking on the ground."
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You received this message because you are subscribed to eBird's Santa Barbara 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: 9/1/26 6:03 pm From: Adrian O'Loghlen via groups.io <aologhlen...> Subject: Re: [sbcobirding] Black-vented Shearwater Sept. 1
A small group of birders out looking for the Black Tern at Sands Beach this morning also spotted what I presume was the same BV Shearwater reported by Florence.
Date: 9/1/26 4:28 pm From: Craig Prater via groups.io <craig.prater.sb...> Subject: Re: [sbcobirding] Seawatch today at UCSB Campus Point
Hi folks. I am really interested in the pelagic birds that are being spotted offshore these days and have seen many in my scope recently. I am usually seeing them at the edge of visibility, so identification from my birding books is a challenge. I would love to spend some time with folks who are more experienced to learn what to look for with offshore bird ID. If anyone would like some company for some coastal birding and willing to share some experience, please let me know. I am available most mornings.
Craig Prater
---------------- (last name added by moderator). Please reply directly to Craig Prater and not the group.
-------- Original message -------- From: "Adrian O'Loghlen via groups.io" <aologhlen...> Date: 8/31/26 6:14 PM (GMT-08:00) To: <main...> Subject: Re: [sbcobirding] Seawatch today at UCSB Campus Point
Picking up on Florence's report of a juvenile Parasitic Jaeger at Campus Point, I had an immature Parasitic Jaeger at the point at COPR this morning. Based on a photo at 'All About Birds', it looks like it was an "immature intermediate morph".
Date: 9/1/26 11:55 am From: eBird alert via groups.io <alert.ebird...> Subject: [sbcobirding] [eBird Alert] Santa Barbara County Rare Bird Alert
*** Species Summary:
- Black Tern (1 report)
---------------------------------------------
Thank you for subscribing to the <daily> Santa Barbara County Rare Bird Alert. The report below shows observations of rare birds in Santa Barbara County. View or unsubscribe to this alert at https://ebird.org/alert/summary?sid=SN35915 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: 9/1/26 11:49 am From: Florence Sanchez via groups.io <sanchezucsb11...> Subject: [sbcobirding] Black-vented Shearwater Sept. 1
I did a Seawatch from Coal Oil Point after birding COPR Beach. There was no seabird activity at all so I amused myself watching Elegant and Forester's Terns diving in front of me. Finally I spotted a single Black-vented Shearwater well out in smooth water between two current breaks. No other unique birds were in evidence during my hour of watch.
Florence Sanchez
PS--It was "deja vu all over again" in regard to finding both a juvenile Knot and a Ruddy Turnstone on the say day and beach. I had to look up the date but it was almost exactly a month ago (August 4) that I reported these same 2 species at COPR. Only difference: both of those birds were breeding adults.
Date: 9/1/26 10:27 am From: Daniel Farrar via groups.io <jdanielfarrar...> Subject: Re: [sbcobirding] Seawatch today at UCSB Campus Point
Well today the weather shifted and almost no BV Shears from Surf Beach.
Timing is everything!
Daniel Farrar
Lompoc, CA
<jdanielfarrar...>
On Mon, Aug 31, 2026, 6:14 PM Adrian O'Loghlen via groups.io <aologhlen=
<gmail.com...> wrote:
> Picking up on Florence's report of a juvenile Parasitic Jaeger at Campus
> Point, I had an immature Parasitic Jaeger at the point at COPR this
> morning. Based on a photo at 'All About Birds', it looks like it was an
> "immature intermediate morph".
>
> https://flic.kr/ps/2A7WDv >
> Adrian O'Loghlen
> Goleta
>
>
>
Date: 9/1/26 9:31 am From: Florence Sanchez via groups.io <sanchezucsb11...> Subject: [sbcobirding] Red knot and Ruddy Turnstone
On COPR beach this morning. Knot was a juvenile on Isla Vista portion of the beach. Turnstone was a non-breeding adult well west on Elwood portion of the beach.
Florence Sanchez
Date: 8/31/26 6:14 pm From: Adrian O'Loghlen via groups.io <aologhlen...> Subject: Re: [sbcobirding] Seawatch today at UCSB Campus Point
Picking up on Florence's report of a juvenile Parasitic Jaeger at Campus Point, I had an immature Parasitic Jaeger at the point at COPR this morning. Based on a photo at 'All About Birds', it looks like it was an "immature intermediate morph".
Date: 8/31/26 5:25 pm From: Ryanne Bee via groups.io <ryanne.bee...> Subject: Re: [sbcobirding] Seawatch today at UCSB Campus Point
Hi all,
Jumping in on this from in between. The Black-venteds have put on a show
here at Hollister as well. 1000+ Saturday feeding less than 100m offshore
and continued Sunday with slightly less numbers. Possible Black Storm
Petrel very near shore but other than it's been mostly a shearwater show. I
was hoping we would get all the Jaegers chasing terns but I haven't been
able to catch any during my surveys. We had some heavy W-NW winds all
weekend that died off today so thinking that created some upwelling pushing
bait more nearshore. Might be interesting out there the next few weeks.
Best,
Ryanne
805.570.7424
On Mon, Aug 31, 2026 at 3:34 PM Daniel Farrar via groups.io <jdanielfarrar=
<gmail.com...> wrote:
> Hello Florence and All,
> Up in north county the Black-vented Shearwater action has been
> incredible. I've had hundreds if not thousands just about every morning
> I've tried for the last week. This AM at Wall Beach on base they were
> incredibly close to shore. They were just barely beyond the breakers with
> gulls and terns. Easily identifiable with binoculars.
>
> Yesterday north of Wall Beach there was a BLACK TERN working the kelp bed.
> I did not check for it today as I was working. I highly suggest trying a
> seawatch from the train tracks at Ocean Park if you can (but stay off the
> tracks!).
>
> https://ebird.org/atlascalifornia/checklist/S388423206 >
> Best,
> Daniel Farrar
>
> On Mon, Aug 31, 2026, 3:20 PM Florence Sanchez via groups.io
> <sanchezucsb11...> wrote:
>
>> Following Dave Compton's report yesterday, I decided to try my luck at a
>> seawatch after I'd spent some time walking COPR and UCSB Beaches this
>> morning. (A summary of what I've been seeing the past few days will follow
>> in another report.)
>>
>> It was a great morning weather-wise for the watch but the birds were not
>> moving today. Wind seemed to be coming out of the southeast and most of
>> the birds I saw (including local birds) were flying west, but the seabirds
>> were just not moving. I saw no Shearwaters during the approximately 1 hour
>> I watched. I did pick up a Black Storm Petrel in surprisingly close to
>> shore. I believe it could even have been seen in binoculars. Sometime
>> later, I picked up a juvenile Jaeger flying west. I believe it was a
>> Parasitic, though I wish I'd picked it up in the scope a little sooner when
>> I could have assessed the size and depth of the chest better. However,
>> Parasitic would be the expected Jaeger this close to shore.
>>
>> Apart from that, there was just no seabird activity so I gave it up after
>> an hour.
>>
>> Florence Sanchez
>>
>>
>>
>
> Daniel Farrar
> Lompoc, CA
> <jdanielfarrar...>
>
>
>
Date: 8/31/26 3:34 pm From: Daniel Farrar via groups.io <jdanielfarrar...> Subject: Re: [sbcobirding] Seawatch today at UCSB Campus Point
Hello Florence and All,
Up in north county the Black-vented Shearwater action has been
incredible. I've had hundreds if not thousands just about every morning
I've tried for the last week. This AM at Wall Beach on base they were
incredibly close to shore. They were just barely beyond the breakers with
gulls and terns. Easily identifiable with binoculars.
Yesterday north of Wall Beach there was a BLACK TERN working the kelp bed.
I did not check for it today as I was working. I highly suggest trying a
seawatch from the train tracks at Ocean Park if you can (but stay off the
tracks!).
On Mon, Aug 31, 2026, 3:20 PM Florence Sanchez via groups.io <sanchezucsb11=
<yahoo.com...> wrote:
> Following Dave Compton's report yesterday, I decided to try my luck at a
> seawatch after I'd spent some time walking COPR and UCSB Beaches this
> morning. (A summary of what I've been seeing the past few days will follow
> in another report.)
>
> It was a great morning weather-wise for the watch but the birds were not
> moving today. Wind seemed to be coming out of the southeast and most of
> the birds I saw (including local birds) were flying west, but the seabirds
> were just not moving. I saw no Shearwaters during the approximately 1 hour
> I watched. I did pick up a Black Storm Petrel in surprisingly close to
> shore. I believe it could even have been seen in binoculars. Sometime
> later, I picked up a juvenile Jaeger flying west. I believe it was a
> Parasitic, though I wish I'd picked it up in the scope a little sooner when
> I could have assessed the size and depth of the chest better. However,
> Parasitic would be the expected Jaeger this close to shore.
>
> Apart from that, there was just no seabird activity so I gave it up after
> an hour.
>
> Florence Sanchez
>
>
>
>
>
Date: 8/31/26 3:20 pm From: Florence Sanchez via groups.io <sanchezucsb11...> Subject: [sbcobirding] Seawatch today at UCSB Campus Point
Following Dave Compton's report yesterday, I decided to try my luck at a seawatch after I'd spent some time walking COPR and UCSB Beaches this morning. (A summary of what I've been seeing the past few days will follow in another report.)
It was a great morning weather-wise for the watch but the birds were not moving today. Wind seemed to be coming out of the southeast and most of the birds I saw (including local birds) were flying west, but the seabirds were just not moving. I saw no Shearwaters during the approximately 1 hour I watched. I did pick up a Black Storm Petrel in surprisingly close to shore. I believe it could even have been seen in binoculars. Sometime later, I picked up a juvenile Jaeger flying west. I believe it was a Parasitic, though I wish I'd picked it up in the scope a little sooner when I could have assessed the size and depth of the chest better. However, Parasitic would be the expected Jaeger this close to shore.
Apart from that, there was just no seabird activity so I gave it up after an hour.
Florence Sanchez
Date: 8/31/26 10:18 am From: eBird alert via groups.io <alert.ebird...> Subject: [sbcobirding] [eBird Alert] Santa Barbara County Rare Bird Alert
*** Species Summary:
- Black Tern (1 report)
- Common Tern (1 report)
- Swinhoe's White-eye (1 report)
---------------------------------------------
Thank you for subscribing to the <daily> Santa Barbara County Rare Bird Alert. The report below shows observations of rare birds in Santa Barbara County. View or unsubscribe to this alert at https://ebird.org/alert/summary?sid=SN35915 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) (1)
- Reported Aug 30, 2026 16:45 by Ryanne Pritchard-Bee
- Hollister Ranch (restricted access), Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.3087902&<ll...>,-120.3087902 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S388491430 - Comments: "Small tern with somewhat red/orange bill with dark tip - appeared to be fading more entirely black, very dark and noticeable carpal bar, bill did seem a bit big - more FOTE like but plumage was more appropriate for common"
Swinhoe's White-eye (Zosterops simplex) (Exotic: Naturalized) (6)
- Reported Aug 30, 2026 10:56 by Alex Harman
- 100 E Haley St, Santa Barbara US-CA (34.4178,-119.6942), Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-119.694175&<ll...>,-119.694175 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S388379621 - Media: 1 Audio
- Comments: "Group of 6-ish small, short-tailed passerines moving through the trees, calling constantly with a distinctive, down-slurred call. Didn’t have a good visual of them at any point, but got a recording."
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Date: 8/30/26 12:56 pm From: Dave Compton via groups.io <davcompton60...> Subject: [sbcobirding] Black Storm-Petrels and Sabine's Gull from Campus Pt today
While visiting Goleta Beach this morning, I noticed a westward movement of Black-vented Shearwaters, and a Parasitic Jaeger, offshore. So, I decided it might be a good day to go to Campus Pt and see what was happening.
Bird movement wasn't spectacular, by any means, but over 2 hours and about 50 minutes, there were some obvious highlights. Wind was onshore, despite windy.com telling me winds were pretty much west northwest. Most of the time, the wind was more or less east southeast as you experienced it on the bluffs. Perhaps more interesting was that, in this mid to late morning timeframe, just about everything (shearwaters, cormorants, pelicans, gulls, terns, shorebirds) was moving west, or up the coast, as if it was spring migration. Fleeing the warm waters to the south? Highlights were:
BLACK STORM-PETREL: 2 milling about offshore for about two hours. Guy Tingos joined me for the last hour I was there, and we both got good looks at 1-2 birds at time, 200+ meters offshore, flying east, then flying west, getting lost behind the waves after 10-20 second looks, landing on the water sometimes.
SABINE'S GULL - subadult present for the first hour, mostly sitting on the water or a kelp paddy, occasionally lifting off, and making its way a little farther east each time, until I stopped seeing it.
BLACK-VENTED SHEARWATER - 183 for the entire period, with about 170 in the first hour and a half, moving west
PARASITIC/POMARINE JAEGER - Probably was another Parasitic, but it was distant and went by quickly, moving west.
JAEGER SP.? - Guy and I saw a bird that looked like a small jaeger, but in kind of poor light, and mostly moving away. It's not on my eBird list at all, but we both thought jaeger, but it was kind of small, rather gray looking, and with no obvious white flashes on the wing that we could see. We did get good looks at its flight style. We first saw it swoop down toward one of the storm-petrels, before resuming course and flying southwest. Strange things were happening, so it's easy to let your imagination get the best of you.
HEERMANN'S GULL - my list says I had 24, but it sure seemed like more. They were all flying west, in ones and twos.
A handful of loons, three Surf Scoters, and a variety of expected terns.
---------------------------------------------
Thank you for subscribing to the <daily> Santa Barbara County Rare Bird Alert. The report below shows observations of rare birds in Santa Barbara County. View or unsubscribe to this alert at https://ebird.org/alert/summary?sid=SN35915 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.
Vermilion Flycatcher (Pyrocephalus rubinus) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Aug 27, 2026 06:40 by Jim Chiropolos
- Santa Cruz Island--Scorpion Canyon Campgrounds, Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-119.5645389&<ll...>,-119.5645389 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S388121457 - Media: 5 Photos
- Comments: "In opening between upper and lower campground where all logs are stacked. Immature bird flycatching and wagging tail - in between size of black Phoebe and western flycatcher which I perched next too. Watched it for 1:2 hour figuring out If
See picturrs"
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Date: 8/29/26 6:52 am From: eBird alert via groups.io <alert.ebird...> Subject: [sbcobirding] [eBird Alert] Santa Barbara County Rare Bird Alert
*** Species Summary:
- American Bittern (1 report)
- Swinhoe's White-eye (1 report)
---------------------------------------------
Thank you for subscribing to the <daily> Santa Barbara County Rare Bird Alert. The report below shows observations of rare birds in Santa Barbara County. View or unsubscribe to this alert at https://ebird.org/alert/summary?sid=SN35915 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 Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Aug 28, 2026 10:18 by Jim Hodgson
- Elings Park, Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-119.7349691&<ll...>,-119.7349691 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S387719553 - Comments: "Totally unexpected, brown, beige colored with dark wings and streaking on the belly. Gave a deep “kok” call as it flushed. In flight it had a long neck that tapered down to a very pointed bill with no forehead profile at all. It flushed from brush in the of the SB Botanical Gardens restoration patch and disappeared out of sight over the neighborhood east of the park towards west Valerio."
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: 8/28/26 1:33 pm From: Jim Hodgson via groups.io <jimhodgson...> Subject: [sbcobirding] Eling’s Park
Hi all,
While birding thru the SB botanical gardens restoration patch at Eling’s park I flushed an American Bittern. I’m not sure who was more surprised the bittern or myself. The bittern disappeared into the neighborhood east of the park. Later ran into Hugh Ranson, and we found the Grasshopper sparrow that he found yesterday.
Good birding,
Jim Hodgson
Santa Barbara
Date: 8/28/26 5:20 am From: eBird alert via groups.io <alert.ebird...> Subject: [sbcobirding] [eBird Alert] Santa Barbara County Rare Bird Alert
*** Species Summary:
- White-winged Dove (1 report)
---------------------------------------------
Thank you for subscribing to the <daily> Santa Barbara County Rare Bird Alert. The report below shows observations of rare birds in Santa Barbara County. View or unsubscribe to this alert at https://ebird.org/alert/summary?sid=SN35915 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: 8/27/26 11:45 am From: Florence Sanchez via groups.io <sanchezucsb11...> Subject: [sbcobirding] Weird morning on COPR beaches
Not only was the warm, muggy weather unusual (for 6:30 a.m.), the bird population was also somewhat bizarre. The low tide occurred well before dawn, so I was prepared to deal with the incoming tide, but that did not account for everything.
First, I noted a higher than usual number of Western Sandpipers on the beach. Next, I had Short-billed Dowitchers for the first time in a few weeks since the adult that were there departed (23 total, all juveniles). But I saw almost no Snowy Plovers on the beach this morning and had only 1 Black-bellied Plover, even on the Ellwood portion of the Beach. After I turned and started my return trip, a flock of about 45 Black-bellies flew west and landed on the beach behind me for a brief time, then took off east again and I did not find it again. I also had no Sanderlings until I was well East of Coal Oil Point itself on my return trip.
There was no Gull flock on the beach, nor any Tern flock, though I did have fly-bys of Elegant and Forester's Terns. Nothing was resting on the sand behind the boundary ropes either.
I checked Devereux after leaving the beach and there were almost no shorebirds there. I spotted what was probably the Neotropic Cormorant (based on size) at the end of a small group of cormorants on the playa that was north of the main group.
Florence Sanchez
Date: 8/27/26 3:54 am From: eBird alert via groups.io <alert.ebird...> Subject: [sbcobirding] [eBird Alert] Santa Barbara County Rare Bird Alert
*** Species Summary:
- Common Tern (3 reports)
- Swinhoe's White-eye (3 reports)
---------------------------------------------
Thank you for subscribing to the <daily> Santa Barbara County Rare Bird Alert. The report below shows observations of rare birds in Santa Barbara County. View or unsubscribe to this alert at https://ebird.org/alert/summary?sid=SN35915 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) (1)
- Reported Aug 26, 2026 06:52 by Zev Stampfer
- Andree Clark Bird Refuge, Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-119.6572856&<ll...>,-119.6572856 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S387099633 - Comments: "Pretty sure this one is a common Tern. It was flying in circles and diving into the lagoon by the beach. Dark bill and lack of tufts on its head made me think it wasn’t an Elegant. I have some decent pictures I’ll add later."
Common Tern (Sterna hirundo) (1)
- Reported Aug 25, 2026 12:26 by Craig Prater
- Mission Creek outflow, Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-119.6869361&<ll...>,-119.6869361 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S386888153 - Media: 1 Photo
- Comments: "Tentative ID at location of Common Tern reported by Ron Hirst (see attached photo). Thisbtern was along Mission Creek outflow directly adjacent to clearlyb larger Royal/Elegant terns and Black Skimmers nearby. Also saw two other small terns in flight that appeared to be Forster's."
Swinhoe's White-eye (Zosterops simplex) (Exotic: Naturalized) (3) CONFIRMED
- Reported Aug 26, 2026 09:05 by Charlie Convery
- UCSB North Campus Open Space (formerly Ocean Meadows Golf Course), Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-119.8792197&<ll...>,-119.8792197 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S387178486 - Media: 1 Photo, 1 Audio
- Comments: "Three small yellow and white birds with a distinct white eye ring in the Eucalyptus tree at the Whittier parking lot. Recorded chittering at RSHA."
Swinhoe's White-eye (Zosterops simplex) (Exotic: Naturalized) (3) CONFIRMED
- Reported Aug 26, 2026 09:05 by Karen Lee
- UCSB North Campus Open Space (formerly Ocean Meadows Golf Course), Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-119.8792197&<ll...>,-119.8792197 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S387241206 - Media: 1 Photo, 1 Audio
- Comments: "Three small yellow and white birds with a distinct white eye ring in the Eucalyptus tree at the Whittier parking lot. Recorded chittering at RSHA."
Swinhoe's White-eye (Zosterops simplex) (Exotic: Naturalized) (3) CONFIRMED
- Reported Aug 26, 2026 09:05 by Jennifer Convery
- UCSB North Campus Open Space (formerly Ocean Meadows Golf Course), Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-119.8792197&<ll...>,-119.8792197 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S387241523 - Media: 1 Photo, 1 Audio
- Comments: "Three small yellow and white birds with a distinct white eye ring in the Eucalyptus tree at the Whittier parking lot. Recorded chittering at RSHA."
***********
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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: 8/26/26 2:21 am From: eBird alert via groups.io <alert.ebird...> Subject: [sbcobirding] [eBird Alert] Santa Barbara County Rare Bird Alert
*** Species Summary:
- White-winged Dove (2 reports)
- Common Tern (2 reports)
---------------------------------------------
Thank you for subscribing to the <daily> Santa Barbara County Rare Bird Alert. The report below shows observations of rare birds in Santa Barbara County. View or unsubscribe to this alert at https://ebird.org/alert/summary?sid=SN35915 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.
White-winged Dove (Zenaida asiatica) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Aug 23, 2026 11:45 by Sue Cook
- Private residence near Cathedral Oaks and Hwy 101, Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-119.904319&<ll...>,-119.904319 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S386782935 - Comments: "Eating shelled sunflower seeds at my platform feeder. Distinct white edge on wings and red legs. Rounded tail with white band at the edge in flight."
Common Tern (Sterna hirundo) (1)
- Reported Aug 22, 2026 13:30 by Michael I Christie
- Rancho Guadalupe Dunes Preserve, including Santa Maria River Estuary (SBA Co.), Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.6473815&<ll...>,-120.6473815 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S386975663 - Comments: "one at edge of mixed Royal/Elegant Tern flock, just S of parking area: much smaller, black bill, deep red legs and black 'shoulder' band. Fs."
***********
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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: 8/25/26 12:56 am From: eBird alert via groups.io <alert.ebird...> Subject: [sbcobirding] [eBird Alert] Santa Barbara County Rare Bird Alert
*** Species Summary:
- White-winged Dove (1 report)
---------------------------------------------
Thank you for subscribing to the <daily> Santa Barbara County Rare Bird Alert. The report below shows observations of rare birds in Santa Barbara County. View or unsubscribe to this alert at https://ebird.org/alert/summary?sid=SN35915 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/
---------------------------------------------
Thank you for subscribing to the <daily> Santa Barbara County Rare Bird Alert. The report below shows observations of rare birds in Santa Barbara County. View or unsubscribe to this alert at https://ebird.org/alert/summary?sid=SN35915 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-billed Tropicbird (Phaethon aethereus) (1)
- Reported Aug 23, 2026 11:30 by Will Black
- Santa Cruz Island--Scorpion Anchorage and Beach Area, Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-119.5555481&<ll...>,-119.5555481 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S386399305 - Comments: "*Rare: While kayaking the sea caves just west of Scorpion Anchorage, an adult made a flyby pass at fairly close range inshore. Nearly pure white bird contrasting with a stocky, decurved red bill and a solid black mask running back from the eye to the back of the head. Underwings appeared almost completely white, and upper side of primaries showing black. From my viewing angle, it was not easy to see back well, but did appear to have some black barring. As most Southern California tropicbird encounters are from finding the bird sitting on the water, observing this bird flying towards me was rather perplexing. By the time I’d run through the options to rationalize this being a flyby tropicbird, my rushed, fumbling attempt from my kayak to photograph the bird with my cell phone through a waterproof photo case was rather unsuccessful and the bird was gone (no photo)."
Neotropic Cormorant (Nannopterum brasilianum) (1)
- Reported Aug 23, 2026 11:26 by David Compton
- Coal Oil Point Natural Reserve--Devereux Lagoon, Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-119.8756027&<ll...>,-119.8756027 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S386282425 - Comments: "This is the bird that has caused a lot of discussion because of the small amount of yellow that can be seen above the gape at some angles, despite all else looking fine for Neotropic. Cormorant that is much smaller than adjacent Double-cresteds, longer-tailed, and noticeably smaller billed and small headed. There is a white border around the bare yellow parts at the base of the bill, where yellow and white form a distinct point at the back. The surrounding feathers here are relatively pale, which reduces the contrast of the white border. And the bird is a younger individual and relatively pale overall on the underparts."
Green Heron (Butorides virescens) (1)
- Reported Aug 23, 2026 11:30 by Will Black
- Santa Cruz Island--Scorpion Anchorage and Beach Area, Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-119.5555481&<ll...>,-119.5555481 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S386399305 - Comments: "*rare: small green and brown heron with striped throat. Initially observed when it flew off the cliff side, making a loop over the water and coming back into the cliff and sitting on the rocks. Eventually flew again, flying over to Cavern Point and sitting on a more gradual cliff with sparse vegetation. Remained fairly active over the viewing period, throwing up crest and extending neck regularly. Pretty weird sight. No photo."
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: 8/23/26 12:14 pm From: Dave Compton via groups.io <davcompton60...> Subject: [sbcobirding] Devereux, etc.
Around noon, I had a Solitary Sandpiper and the bird we’ve decided to call
a Neotropic Cormorant, at Devereux. There are a lot shorebirds, still.
Birds are moving around a bit. The Solitary was visible across from the
southern pullout when I arrived, then disappeared, before reappearing
farther down toward the mouth. But a large concentration of Westerns (with
only one Least!) was very near the turnout the entire time, with Red-necked
Phalaropes, Semipalm Plovers, etc.
Earlier, Florence Sanchez and I had the Black-and-white Warbler in the west
part of the Goleta tech park, but things were fairly quiet there overall.
Winchester One was a little quiet, too. Both places had just a sprinkling
of Yellow and Orange-crowned Warblers, with a single Wilson’s at the tech
park.
Date: 8/23/26 12:51 am From: eBird alert via groups.io <alert.ebird...> Subject: [sbcobirding] [eBird Alert] Santa Barbara County Rare Bird Alert
*** Species Summary:
- Red-eyed Vireo (4 reports)
---------------------------------------------
Thank you for subscribing to the <daily> Santa Barbara County Rare Bird Alert. The report below shows observations of rare birds in Santa Barbara County. View or unsubscribe to this alert at https://ebird.org/alert/summary?sid=SN35915 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-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus) (1)
- Reported Aug 22, 2026 13:46 by Zach Nett
- San Jose Creek--North of Cathedral Oaks, Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-119.8107304&<ll...>,-119.8107304 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S385917169 - Comments: "heard vocalizing when I first arrived. it quieted down when I walked down into the creek, but after sitting on a rock for a few minutes it came out from the brush south of the bridge. watched it bounce between the eucalyptus and willows for a good ten minutes. olive bird with dark eye line, light unders."
Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus) (1)
- Reported Aug 22, 2026 11:23 by Libby Patten
- San Jose Creek--North of Cathedral Oaks, Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-119.8107304&<ll...>,-119.8107304 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S385900874 - Comments: "Singing up a storm just before 1 pm as I was about to leave. South of the bridge near where arundo grass gets very tall (about 5 yds south south of bridge). Will post song recording. Classic up and down note vireo song. Was found less than an hour after Lori Gaskin and Rick saw it closer to the bridge in a willow, but not vocalizing."
Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus) (1)
- Reported Aug 22, 2026 10:36 by Lori Gaskin
- San Jose Creek--North of Cathedral Oaks, Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-119.8107304&<ll...>,-119.8107304 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S385890360 - Comments: "Prominent white supercilium and dark streak through eye. Gray/olive green on back; pale white on breast. Dark forehead. Did not vocalize. Observed at 11:59AM flying into willow on east side of bank and perching. Observed from 34.457298, -119.810597 looking east. Thanks to Mario Ramos for tip on location."
Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus) (1)
- Reported Aug 22, 2026 10:36 by Rick Boyer
- San Jose Creek--North of Cathedral Oaks, Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-119.8107304&<ll...>,-119.8107304 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S385891124 - Comments: "Prominent white supercilium and dark streak through eye. Gray/olive green on back; pale white on breast. Dark forehead. Did not vocalize. Observed at 11:59AM flying into willow on east side of bank and perching. Observed from 34.457298, -119.810597 looking east. Thanks to Mario Ramos for tip on location."
***********
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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/
---------------------------------------------
Thank you for subscribing to the <daily> Santa Barbara County Rare Bird Alert. The report below shows observations of rare birds in Santa Barbara County. View or unsubscribe to this alert at https://ebird.org/alert/summary?sid=SN35915 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-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus) (1)
- Reported Aug 21, 2026 14:06 by Mario Ramos
- San Jose Creek--North of Cathedral Oaks, Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-119.8107304&<ll...>,-119.8107304 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S385586154 - Comments: "Continuing, Heard loud, distinctive calls and was able to locate the Red-eyed Vireo, getting good looks at the bird. It showed a grayish crown, pale underparts, and a noticeable dark eye line with a pale eyebrow. The bird continued calling from the vegetation."
***********
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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: 8/21/26 11:46 am From: Florence Sanchez via groups.io <sanchezucsb11...> Subject: [sbcobirding] Devereux Slough,, August 21
I had time for a fairly short visit this morning. I did not find all the birds reported yesterday but there still was a large number of (mostly Western) Sandpipers working the areas near the broken bridge. Unfortunately the flock was very flighty this morning and portions of it were working up and down the stream channels, often below the tops of the surrounding banks. I'm sure I saw perhaps only half of all the birds that were present.
No rarities were found, but I did note that among the 15 or so juvenile Red-necked Phalaropes, there were at least 2 adults in basic plumage. I also spotted two Dowitchers upstream in a channel. Gold patterns on the tertials of one bird indicated juvenile Short-billed Dowitcher. Markings were not clear on the second bird but when they flew upstream together, both appeared to be making the L. Yellowlegs-like Tu-tu call.
I'm wondering if this big influx of small shorebirds here comes from birds previously at the drying-up Area K?
I did not see the Neotropic Cormorant while I was there.
Florence Sanchez
Date: 8/21/26 12:48 am From: eBird alert via groups.io <alert.ebird...> Subject: [sbcobirding] [eBird Alert] Santa Barbara County Rare Bird Alert
*** Species Summary:
- Neotropic Cormorant (2 reports)
---------------------------------------------
Thank you for subscribing to the <daily> Santa Barbara County Rare Bird Alert. The report below shows observations of rare birds in Santa Barbara County. View or unsubscribe to this alert at https://ebird.org/alert/summary?sid=SN35915 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: 8/20/26 2:55 pm From: Florence Sanchez via groups.io <sanchezucsb11...> Subject: [sbcobirding] Lake Los Carneros early AM, August 20
In some past years, we have had a Lesser Nighthawk at LLC in August, so I decided to give it a shot. No luck on that one today, but nevertheless it was a pleasant experience to get there at 5:30 a.m. and watch the sky gradually lighten and hear the birds wake up.
First birds I detected were a pair of Black-crowned Night-herons the flew in overhead and foraged around the perimeter of the lake near the dam. Then I noticed a large bump on the raining along the dam that turned out to be a Great Horned Owl. It dropped down to the ground a couple of times but I didn't see it catch anything. Eventually as the sky lightened, it flew across the Lake into a eucalyptus tree on the far side and disappeared.
Overall the birding was not remarkable. Bird activity around Stow House was very low but I did find both a Yellow Warbler and a Wilson's Warbler in the tipu tree next to the caretaker's house. Nevertheless, it was a beautiful place to be early today.
Florence Sanchez
Date: 8/20/26 9:30 am From: Florence Sanchez via groups.io <sanchezucsb11...> Subject: Re: [sbcobirding] UCSB. Beaches and Lagoon, Aug 19
Fantastic! This kind of flock is long overdue.
Please follow up if something new turns up in the population. (My morning is booked or I would join you.)
Florence Sanchez
> On Aug 20, 2026, at 8:47 AM, Lynn Scarlett via groups.io <Lynnscarlett...> wrote:
>
> Devereux at Half Bridge teeming with birds. Phalaropes, dowitchers, 3 avocets, black-necked stilts, hundred plus sandpipers—western, least, sanderlings, greater yellowlegs. Semi-palmated plovers. Plus the usual egrets, herons, cormorants.
>
>>> On Aug 19, 2026, at 2:16 PM, Florence Sanchez via groups.io <sanchezucsb11...> wrote:
>>>
>>
>> I walked the UCSB beaches for the first time this season and found a large number of shorebirds on the portion of the beach north of the wooden steps at Lot 6. This is the same area where we found a Curlew Sandpiper a few years ago; until today, birding has been pretty bleak there in subsequent years. And this was in spite of some idiot on an eBike who raced up and down the full length of the beach with two barking large dogs chasing along in the surf beside him!
>>
>> Anyway, I found a good variety at this spot and got an answer to question I've been asking myself: Where are the Godwits? At Coal Oil Point Reserve, I have found only individual birds with a day's total there ending in low single digits. Apparently, this portion of the beach has what they like because they were the most numerous large shorebird I found there, outnumbering Curlews, Willets, and Whimbrels.
>>
>> One reason why this beach was perhaps more popular with shorebirds than it usually may be that the "low tide" this morning was not very low and the portion of the beach exposed south of the steps was pretty narrow.
>>
>> On the rocks at Campus Point, I found a Black Turnstone along with expected Semi-palmated Plovers and a Willet.
>>
>> The campus lagoon had nothing unexpected for this time of year except a flyover adult Ring-billed Gull, the first one I've seen this season. I also had an adult male Surf Scoter there when I first arrived. Speaking of Gulls, I had juvenile Western Gulls on the UCSB beach this morning and have been seeing individuals at COPR regularly for the past couple of weeks.
>>
>> Florence Sanchez
>>
>>
>
> --
> ---
> Lynn Scarlett
> Santa Barbara
>
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Thank you for subscribing to the <daily> Santa Barbara County Rare Bird Alert. The report below shows observations of rare birds in Santa Barbara County. View or unsubscribe to this alert at https://ebird.org/alert/summary?sid=SN35915 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.
Craveri's Murrelet (Synthliboramphus craveri) (4)
- Reported Aug 13, 2026 11:27 by Philip Zeng
- Offshore--southern Pilgrim Bank, north of Santa Barbara Island (SBA Co.), Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-119.1055298&<ll...>,-119.1055298 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S385058300 - Media: 2 Photos
- Comments: "Two pairs with photos of at least one pair. All were obvious Craveri's, even if looks of one pair were brief. Straight demarcation of black and white on the face, long tails held cocked up, and when erupting in flight the dusky underwings and dark spur on the side of the breast was noted. Pereksta would also contend that they have a hunched back appearance when taking off or just generally in flight. Appear to reliably hold their head lower while other small murrelets (Scripps's and Guadalupe) often hold their head higher in flight. More investigation needed, but reliably seen in photos."
Craveri's Murrelet (Synthliboramphus craveri) (4)
- Reported Aug 13, 2026 11:27 by logan kahle
- Offshore--southern Pilgrim Bank, north of Santa Barbara Island (SBA Co.), Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-119.1055298&<ll...>,-119.1055298 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S385057399 - Media: 2 Photos
- Comments: "Two pairs with photos of at least one pair. All were obvious Craveri's, even if looks of one pair were brief. Straight demarcation of black and white on the face, long tails held cocked up, and when erupting in flight the dusky underwings and dark spur on the side of the breast was noted. Pereksta would also contend that they have a hunched back appearance when taking off or just generally in flight. Appear to reliably hold their head lower while other small murrelets (Scripps's and Guadalupe) often hold their head higher in flight. More investigation needed, but reliably seen in photos."
Craveri's Murrelet (Synthliboramphus craveri) (4)
- Reported Aug 13, 2026 11:27 by Todd McGrath
- Offshore--southern Pilgrim Bank, north of Santa Barbara Island (SBA Co.), Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-119.1055298&<ll...>,-119.1055298 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S385056308 - Media: 2 Photos
- Comments: "Two pairs with photos of at least one pair. All were obvious Craveri's, even if looks of one pair were brief. Straight demarcation of black and white on the face, long tails held cocked up, and when erupting in flight the dusky underwings and dark spur on the side of the breast was noted. Pereksta would also contend that they have a hunched back appearance when taking off or just generally in flight. Appear to reliably hold their head lower while other small murrelets (Scripps's and Guadalupe) often hold their head higher in flight. More investigation needed, but reliably seen in photos."
Craveri's Murrelet (Synthliboramphus craveri) (4)
- Reported Aug 13, 2026 11:27 by Caitlin Chock
- Offshore--southern Pilgrim Bank, north of Santa Barbara Island (SBA Co.), Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-119.1055298&<ll...>,-119.1055298 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S385060529 - Media: 2 Photos
- Comments: "Two pairs with photos of at least one pair. All were obvious Craveri's, even if looks of one pair were brief. Straight demarcation of black and white on the face, long tails held cocked up, and when erupting in flight the dusky underwings and dark spur on the side of the breast was noted. Pereksta would also contend that they have a hunched back appearance when taking off or just generally in flight. Appear to reliably hold their head lower while other small murrelets (Scripps's and Guadalupe) often hold their head higher in flight. More investigation needed, but reliably seen in photos."
Black Tern (Chlidonias niger) (1)
- Reported Aug 13, 2026 09:29 by Caitlin Chock
- Anacapa / Santa Cruz passage (SBA Co.), Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-119.5024109&<ll...>,-119.5024109 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S385060532 - Comments: "Seen as we made our way to the south side of the passage. Small tern with a uniformly dark gray back and tail. Had a dark black spot on the head and distinctive Black Tern flight style."
Black Tern (Chlidonias niger) (1)
- Reported Aug 13, 2026 09:29 by Philip Zeng
- Anacapa / Santa Cruz passage (SBA Co.), Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-119.5024109&<ll...>,-119.5024109 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S385058303 - Comments: "Seen as we made our way to the south side of the passage. Small tern with a uniformly dark gray back and tail. Had a dark black spot on the head and distinctive Black Tern flight style."
Black Tern (Chlidonias niger) (1)
- Reported Aug 13, 2026 09:29 by logan kahle
- Anacapa / Santa Cruz passage (SBA Co.), Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-119.5024109&<ll...>,-119.5024109 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S385057401 - Comments: "Seen as we made our way to the south side of the passage. Small tern with a uniformly dark gray back and tail. Had a dark black spot on the head and distinctive Black Tern flight style."
Black Tern (Chlidonias niger) (1)
- Reported Aug 13, 2026 09:29 by Todd McGrath
- Anacapa / Santa Cruz passage (SBA Co.), Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-119.5024109&<ll...>,-119.5024109 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S385056278 - Comments: "Seen as we made our way to the south side of the passage. Small tern with a uniformly dark gray back and tail. Had a dark black spot on the head and distinctive Black Tern flight style."
Cook's Petrel (Pterodroma cookii) (7)
- Reported Aug 13, 2026 14:14 by logan kahle
- Eastern slope of Santa Cruz Basin (SBA), Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-119.331997&<ll...>,-119.331997 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S385057397 - Media: 1 Photo
- Comments: "All initially found on the water. In bad backlight, they first presented as Sabine's Gulls. We were shocked when they lifted off as none of us has ever seen them in this part of the bight. Small gray petrels with dark "M" pattern across the back and white undersides. First group of six at 33.615864, -119.321439, then one additional bird shortly after."
Cook's Petrel (Pterodroma cookii) (7)
- Reported Aug 13, 2026 14:14 by Caitlin Chock
- Eastern slope of Santa Cruz Basin (SBA), Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-119.331997&<ll...>,-119.331997 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S385060526 - Media: 1 Photo
- Comments: "All initially found on the water. In bad backlight, they first presented as Sabine's Gulls. We were shocked when they lifted off as none of us has ever seen them in this part of the bight. Small gray petrels with dark "M" pattern across the back and white undersides. First group of six at 33.615864, -119.321439, then one additional bird shortly after."
Cook's Petrel (Pterodroma cookii) (7)
- Reported Aug 13, 2026 14:14 by Todd McGrath
- Eastern slope of Santa Cruz Basin (SBA), Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-119.331997&<ll...>,-119.331997 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S385056353 - Media: 1 Photo
- Comments: "All initially found on the water. In bad backlight, they first presented as Sabine's Gulls. We were shocked when they lifted off as none of us has ever seen them in this part of the bight. Small gray petrels with dark "M" pattern across the back and white undersides. First group of six at 33.615864, -119.321439, then one additional bird shortly after."
Cook's Petrel (Pterodroma cookii) (7)
- Reported Aug 13, 2026 14:14 by Philip Zeng
- Eastern slope of Santa Cruz Basin (SBA), Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-119.331997&<ll...>,-119.331997 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S385058298 - Media: 1 Photo
- Comments: "All initially found on the water. In bad backlight, they first presented as Sabine's Gulls. We were shocked when they lifted off as none of us has ever seen them in this part of the bight. Small gray petrels with dark "M" pattern across the back and white undersides. First group of six at 33.615864, -119.321439, then one additional bird shortly after."
Blue-footed Booby (Sula nebouxii) (1)
- Reported Aug 13, 2026 12:59 by Philip Zeng
- Santa Barbara Island (SBA Co.), Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-119.035716&<ll...>,-119.035716 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S385058299 - Media: 1 Photo
- Comments: "Assumed continuing individual (male?) that has been here for a number of years. Only asserting it as a possible continuing bird because of its association with an apparent Blue-footed x Cocos hybrid that it sired in ??. Those two are often seen together and apparently have a strong bond. Slender booby with streaked brownish-gray head, pale eye, slender gray bill, white barring on the back, and pale uppertail. Blue feet were visible at times. Photos forthcoming."
Blue-footed Booby (Sula nebouxii) (1)
- Reported Aug 13, 2026 12:59 by logan kahle
- Santa Barbara Island (SBA Co.), Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-119.035716&<ll...>,-119.035716 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S385057398 - Media: 1 Photo
- Comments: "Assumed continuing individual (male?) that has been here for a number of years. Only asserting it as a possible continuing bird because of its association with an apparent Blue-footed x Cocos hybrid that it sired in ??. Those two are often seen together and apparently have a strong bond. Slender booby with streaked brownish-gray head, pale eye, slender gray bill, white barring on the back, and pale uppertail. Blue feet were visible at times. Photos forthcoming."
Blue-footed Booby (Sula nebouxii) (1)
- Reported Aug 13, 2026 12:59 by Todd McGrath
- Santa Barbara Island (SBA Co.), Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-119.035716&<ll...>,-119.035716 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S385056319 - Media: 1 Photo
- Comments: "Assumed continuing individual (male?) that has been here for a number of years. Only asserting it as a possible continuing bird because of its association with an apparent Blue-footed x Cocos hybrid that it sired in ??. Those two are often seen together and apparently have a strong bond. Slender booby with streaked brownish-gray head, pale eye, slender gray bill, white barring on the back, and pale uppertail. Blue feet were visible at times. Photos forthcoming."
Blue-footed Booby (Sula nebouxii) (1)
- Reported Aug 13, 2026 12:59 by Caitlin Chock
- Santa Barbara Island (SBA Co.), Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-119.035716&<ll...>,-119.035716 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S385060527 - Media: 1 Photo
- Comments: "Assumed continuing individual (male?) that has been here for a number of years. Only asserting it as a possible continuing bird because of its association with an apparent Blue-footed x Cocos hybrid that it sired in ??. Those two are often seen together and apparently have a strong bond. Slender booby with streaked brownish-gray head, pale eye, slender gray bill, white barring on the back, and pale uppertail. Blue feet were visible at times. Photos forthcoming."
Black-throated Sparrow (Amphispiza bilineata) (1)
- Reported Aug 19, 2026 15:53 by Diego Perez
- field site off figueroa mtn rd (no public access), Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.02629&<ll...>,-120.02629 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S385049503 - Media: 1 Video, 3 Photos
- Comments: "Juvenile. Bold white supercilium and white throat. Light gray breast with some faint streaking. gray-brown back and wings. Solid dark gray crown and auricular. lark sparrow would show dark malar, patterning on wing and auricular, which this bird lacked. Foraged around my site while I worked for a few hours."
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Date: 8/19/26 2:16 pm From: Florence Sanchez via groups.io <sanchezucsb11...> Subject: [sbcobirding] UCSB. Beaches and Lagoon, Aug 19
I walked the UCSB beaches for the first time this season and found a large number of shorebirds on the portion of the beach north of the wooden steps at Lot 6. This is the same area where we found a Curlew Sandpiper a few years ago; until today, birding has been pretty bleak there in subsequent years. And this was in spite of some idiot on an eBike who raced up and down the full length of the beach with two barking large dogs chasing along in the surf beside him!
Anyway, I found a good variety at this spot and got an answer to question I've been asking myself: Where are the Godwits? At Coal Oil Point Reserve, I have found only individual birds with a day's total there ending in low single digits. Apparently, this portion of the beach has what they like because they were the most numerous large shorebird I found there, outnumbering Curlews, Willets, and Whimbrels.
One reason why this beach was perhaps more popular with shorebirds than it usually may be that the "low tide" this morning was not very low and the portion of the beach exposed south of the steps was pretty narrow.
On the rocks at Campus Point, I found a Black Turnstone along with expected Semi-palmated Plovers and a Willet.
The campus lagoon had nothing unexpected for this time of year except a flyover adult Ring-billed Gull, the first one I've seen this season. I also had an adult male Surf Scoter there when I first arrived. Speaking of Gulls, I had juvenile Western Gulls on the UCSB beach this morning and have been seeing individuals at COPR regularly for the past couple of weeks.
Florence Sanchez
Date: 8/19/26 10:33 am From: Rebecca Coulter via groups.io <rfcphoebe...> Subject: [sbcobirding] Signs of migration
Hi birders, I've had a few subtle signs of land bird movement over the past few days at the Museum of Natural History: an adult male Western Tanager in a holly-leaf cherry tree and a Black-throated Gray Warbler at the fountain in the MacVeagh House garden. On Sunday at home, two Wilson's Warblers were bathing together in my birdbath (a species I rarely see otherwise), joined later by three Orange-crowned Warblers together. Adult male Hooded Orioles have mostly moved out, but immatures/females are still abundant, as are Allen's and Anna's hummingbirds at the fountain--sometimes six or eight at a time in the very early mornings. Cliff Swallows are mostly gone now except for some family groups chattering while they forage in the early evening.
Bravely facing the forecast heat ahead but so ready for autumn's cooler days and interesting migrant birds moving through!
Date: 8/18/26 10:14 pm From: eBird alert via groups.io <alert.ebird...> Subject: [sbcobirding] [eBird Alert] Santa Barbara County Rare Bird Alert
*** Species Summary:
- Solitary Sandpiper (1 report)
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Thank you for subscribing to the <daily> Santa Barbara County Rare Bird Alert. The report below shows observations of rare birds in Santa Barbara County. View or unsubscribe to this alert at https://ebird.org/alert/summary?sid=SN35915 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.
Solitary Sandpiper (Tringa solitaria) (1)
- Reported Aug 18, 2026 08:46 by Yixin L
- Coal Oil Point Natural Reserve--Devereux Lagoon, Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-119.8756027&<ll...>,-119.8756027 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S384710331 - Media: 2 Photos
- Comments: "yellowish bill and greenish legs. distinct lack of spots and did not bob nearly as frequently as spotted sandpiper. noted dark rump in flight. did not get close enough to get good pictures or look at the eye ring unfortunately. in the slough. awful quality photos next to killdeer"
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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: 8/18/26 2:21 pm From: David Levasheff via groups.io <dcl5277...> Subject: [sbcobirding] LLC & Devereux slough
This morning Jeff, Janice & I had a Black-throated Grey Warbler at LLC. In some oaks on the north/south trail west of the road out to the dam.
Later at Devereux we had a Solitary Sandpiper on the mud flats fairly close to the road. It disappeared when we were not looking and never showed again. Also a juvenile YCNH in the oak across from the bridge to nowhere.
Date: 8/18/26 1:27 pm From: Florence Sanchez via groups.io <sanchezucsb11...> Subject: [sbcobirding] Coal Oil Point Reserve August 18 and Area K August 17
Last evening, I checked out the dwindling Area K. Because of the shrinking size, it was actually a little easier to see most of the birds. I found 2 Greater Yellowlegs and 1 Lesser Yellowlegs, about 15 Kildeer and an equal amount of Semi-palmated Plovers, 6 Dowitchers, and both Western and Least Sandpipers in abundance. I couldn't pull out any rarities among the Sandpipers. The pond at the most easterly edge of the wetland still has a lot of water, but it isn't attracting any birds. The big pond closer to the runway has lots of Phalaropes, which I was not able to identify at that distance.
This morning I walked the beaches at COPR and found essentially the same birds as I have been seeing over the past few days. One exception was the first juvenile Sanderling I've had at this location this season. The probably Common Tern that I saw yesterday was not present today.
A brief stop at Devereux afterwards found a nice flock of small shorebirds on the small mudflat just upstream of the broken bridge parking lot, but nothing new was in it. The White-faced Ibis I saw here yesterday was not present.
FYI: I discovered yesterday that the Atascadero Creek channel at Goleta Beach is now open to the sea. That should improve birding at this location.
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Thank you for subscribing to the <daily> Santa Barbara County Rare Bird Alert. The report below shows observations of rare birds in Santa Barbara County. View or unsubscribe to this alert at https://ebird.org/alert/summary?sid=SN35915 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.
Summer Tanager (Piranga rubra) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Aug 12, 2026 07:49 by Mark Holmgren
- More Mesa, Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-119.7963064&<ll...>,-119.7963064 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S382674824 - Comments: "At (34.423982,-119.796226). In eucalyptus, immature or female plumage. Seen briefly twice. No wing bars, tanager bill. Yellowish bird whose wing was the same color as the body, not darker. I was unable to bring the bird back into view."
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After walking the beach I checked Devereux. There were a few small shorebirds in range near the pullout at the broken bridge but nothing unexpected in the flock. AT this location was a single Ibis, presumably White-throated.I saw a goodly number of small shorebirds heading up the channel toward NCOS.
Did not pull out the Neotropic Cormorant while I was there.
Florence Sanchez
Date: 8/17/26 3:25 pm From: Florence Sanchez via groups.io <sanchezucsb11...> Subject: [sbcobirding] COPR August 17
I walked the beach again this morning and did not find a lot of difference from previous trips. We still don't have any influx of juvenile shorebirds at this location except for Western and Least Sandpipers. Totals for individual species remain about the same, though there has been a slight increase in Willets and a decrease in Whimbrels. Long-billed Curlews and Black-bellied Plovers still duke it out for top spot.
In the tern flock, I had three small terns. Two were the basic-plumaged Forester's Terns that have been there frequently on past visits. The third was an adult in breeding plumage that at first I called Forester's but now believe was a Common Tern, based on literature I checked after returning home.
Florence Sanchez
Date: 8/17/26 11:30 am From: Florence Sanchez via groups.io <sanchezucsb11...> Subject: Re: [sbcobirding] Area K and a tribute to Patrick McNulty
Dear Dave,
Thank you for the nice article on Patrick McNulty. He and I were UCSB employees at the same time and often shared campus sightings. He was dead serious about his UCSB list! I remember he was as excited as I was when I found an over-wintering Magnolia Warbler in some alder trees near North Hall. But even though he took his UCSB list very seriously, he didn't take himself seriously at all and had a great sense of humor.
The last time I saw Partrick was several years ago at the UCSB Lagoon. We were chasing our first county Neotropic Cormorant, which had been found at Devereux but then flew elsewhere. It was relocated at the Lagoon and there Patrick was, excited as ever about adding a new bird to his UCSB list.
IF you get more details on the memorial service, please let us know as I think there many of us "older-timers" who would like to pay our final respects.
Florence Sanchez
On Sunday, August 16, 2026 at 10:54:44 PM PDT, Dave Compton via groups.io <davcompton60...> wrote:
Hi everyone,
I was at Area K today, on the bluffs at UCSB, where there are still good numbers os shorebirds, but a low diversity. Matt Brady was there when I left, and I assume the lack of additional reports means he didn't see anything unusual, either. I recommend getting there soon, if you want to see shorebirds there this year, because it won't be long before everything dries up.
As I was walking back to my car, through the pull off just east of the driveway to the Environmental Health and Safety Building lot, I thought of Patrick McNulty, who 20 or 25 years ago (maybe more) found a Lark Bunting at this location while stopping in to see the shorebird show.
I received word recently that Patrick passed away on August 1. I don't have a lot of details on his passing, but it sounded relatively sudden. I have a lot of fond memories of Patrick. They all focus around birds, I suppose because that was the reason we knew one another in the first place. I remember meeting him for the first time at the Bird Refuge in 1993 or 1994, while I was talking to the late Helen Matelson. It was a completely random meeting of three people interested in birds, and may have been my first time realizing there was something like a local community of people who shared this new interest of mine. Helen and I were both birding with binoculars. Patrick walked up with his Spacemaster scope to look at the ducks and other birds. That may have been the first time I had seen one of those.
I would bump into him again at times both random and not so random. A few years after our first encounter, back in the days when it never occurred to any of us that walking all around the Santa Maria estuary in our Wellingtons could be a bad idea, we both showed up there one Saturday to chase a Buff-breasted Sandpiper. There was a small group of us that day, and we all saw the sandpiper. And at one point, slightly hunched over and peering back into the uplands through that same Spacemaster, Patrick noticed a Lark Bunting, my county bird. I guess finding Lark Buntings while looking for shorebirds was a theme for him.
Another memorable encountered was a planned one. We met at Shoreline Park in the year (12 years ago? more?) when Blue-footed Booby, a bird that was rare enough that I and many others had chased one at the north end of the Salton Sea, not so long before, was suddenly turning up all up and down the coast of Southern California. Patrick and I agree to meet at Shoreline with our scopes to scan the ocean in hopes seeing one. After probably an hour or so, we watched a Blue-booted Booby flying east a few hundred yards offshore. He was pretty happy about that. I was, too, and I was glad to pay him back for the bunting and share another county bird with him.
Also, I think he had a nice scope by then.
I recall that, as a UCSB employee for many years, Patrick was very interested in his UCSB list. I think his rule was that if you could see it from UCSB, you could put it on your list. That's probably one reason so many of our encounters were at Area K, where he found that bunting years ago. In later years, like many birders, Patrick became a lot less active in our mutual hobby. He was a sharp and well-rounded guy, and probably had many interests I don't know about, and I assume those kept him busy. But for many years he was a CBC stalwart, a constant and welcome presence in the community, and one of the regulars who had been birding for many years before I showed up with a pair of cheap binoculars. Patrick was a man of an unfailing even temperament in my estimation, and a man with a dry wit that was never cutting. I think every minute I was around him was one well spent. From his wife Betsy, via Patrick's friend and longtime UCSB coworker Joan Murdoch, I hear that there will be a memorial service on October 24 at the Loma Pelona Center at UCSB. Betsy says she thinks it will be at 2pm.
Good birding all,Dave ComptonSanta Barbara
Date: 8/16/26 10:54 pm From: Dave Compton via groups.io <davcompton60...> Subject: [sbcobirding] Area K and a tribute to Patrick McNulty
Hi everyone,
I was at Area K today, on the bluffs at UCSB, where there are still good numbers os shorebirds, but a low diversity. Matt Brady was there when I left, and I assume the lack of additional reports means he didn't see anything unusual, either. I recommend getting there soon, if you want to see shorebirds there this year, because it won't be long before everything dries up.
As I was walking back to my car, through the pull off just east of the driveway to the Environmental Health and Safety Building lot, I thought of Patrick McNulty, who 20 or 25 years ago (maybe more) found a Lark Bunting at this location while stopping in to see the shorebird show.
I received word recently that Patrick passed away on August 1. I don't have a lot of details on his passing, but it sounded relatively sudden. I have a lot of fond memories of Patrick. They all focus around birds, I suppose because that was the reason we knew one another in the first place. I remember meeting him for the first time at the Bird Refuge in 1993 or 1994, while I was talking to the late Helen Matelson. It was a completely random meeting of three people interested in birds, and may have been my first time realizing there was something like a local community of people who shared this new interest of mine. Helen and I were both birding with binoculars. Patrick walked up with his Spacemaster scope to look at the ducks and other birds. That may have been the first time I had seen one of those.
I would bump into him again at times both random and not so random. A few years after our first encounter, back in the days when it never occurred to any of us that walking all around the Santa Maria estuary in our Wellingtons could be a bad idea, we both showed up there one Saturday to chase a Buff-breasted Sandpiper. There was a small group of us that day, and we all saw the sandpiper. And at one point, slightly hunched over and peering back into the uplands through that same Spacemaster, Patrick noticed a Lark Bunting, my county bird. I guess finding Lark Buntings while looking for shorebirds was a theme for him.
Another memorable encountered was a planned one. We met at Shoreline Park in the year (12 years ago? more?) when Blue-footed Booby, a bird that was rare enough that I and many others had chased one at the north end of the Salton Sea, not so long before, was suddenly turning up all up and down the coast of Southern California. Patrick and I agree to meet at Shoreline with our scopes to scan the ocean in hopes seeing one. After probably an hour or so, we watched a Blue-booted Booby flying east a few hundred yards offshore. He was pretty happy about that. I was, too, and I was glad to pay him back for the bunting and share another county bird with him.
Also, I think he had a nice scope by then.
I recall that, as a UCSB employee for many years, Patrick was very interested in his UCSB list. I think his rule was that if you could see it from UCSB, you could put it on your list. That's probably one reason so many of our encounters were at Area K, where he found that bunting years ago. In later years, like many birders, Patrick became a lot less active in our mutual hobby. He was a sharp and well-rounded guy, and probably had many interests I don't know about, and I assume those kept him busy. But for many years he was a CBC stalwart, a constant and welcome presence in the community, and one of the regulars who had been birding for many years before I showed up with a pair of cheap binoculars. Patrick was a man of an unfailing even temperament in my estimation, and a man with a dry wit that was never cutting. I think every minute I was around him was one well spent. From his wife Betsy, via Patrick's friend and longtime UCSB coworker Joan Murdoch, I hear that there will be a memorial service on October 24 at the Loma Pelona Center at UCSB. Betsy says she thinks it will be at 2pm.
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Thank you for subscribing to the <daily> Santa Barbara County Rare Bird Alert. The report below shows observations of rare birds in Santa Barbara County. View or unsubscribe to this alert at https://ebird.org/alert/summary?sid=SN35915 NOTE: all sightings are UNCONFIRMED unless indicated.
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Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus) (1)
- Reported Aug 16, 2026 11:10 by Matt Brady
- San Jose Creek--North of Cathedral Oaks, Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-119.8107304&<ll...>,-119.8107304 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S384143214 - Comments: "Continuing bird, seen ~50m N of the Patterson Rd bridge (34.4578, -119.8098). Silent, but not uncooperative. Larger vireo with a relatively long and stout bill, prominent dark eyeline contrasting with whitish supercilium separating the gray crown from a paler face, Olive upper parts contrasting with dingy white under parts. I thought the eye was dark rather than red, but I spent most of my time trying to get some photos."
Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus) (1)
- Reported Aug 16, 2026 10:33 by Daniel Farrar
- San Jose Creek--North of Cathedral Oaks, Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-119.8107304&<ll...>,-119.8107304 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S384191108 - Comments: "Continuing on north side of Patterson bridge. After searching for 30 minutes I was pishing in a flock and Matt Brady walked up and immediately spotted the vireo. Thanks Matt! Large vireo with greenish beach and dark line through eye. Was never vocal."
Swinhoe's White-eye (Zosterops simplex) (Exotic: Naturalized) (4)
- Reported Aug 12, 2026 09:16 by Kelly Krechmer
- Alice Keck Park Memorial Garden and Alameda Park, Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-119.7060287&<ll...>,-119.7060287 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S383803029 - Media: 3 Audio
- Comments: "Exact count: Seen foraging together in the top of a tree and recorded. Group of birds foraging together; appeared to include recently fledged/juvenile birds, possibly already dispersed from the breeding area."
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Date: 8/16/26 6:08 pm From: Adrian O'Loghlen via groups.io <aologhlen...> Subject: [sbcobirding] Black-throated Gray Warbler on Refugio Rd
On checking my photos from Saturday morning (15th) taken when Lynn and I were birding the area around the 1st crossing on Refugio Rd., I found a few shots of a Black-throated Gray Warbler. It was in the willows along the creek a couple of hundred yards north of the crossing. I didn't notice it at the time as I was concentrating on trying to get some photos of a Yellow Warbler in the same willow.
Date: 8/16/26 2:44 pm From: Florence Sanchez via groups.io <sanchezucsb11...> Subject: [sbcobirding] COPR Beaches Aug 14 & 16
I have checked the beaches on the above dates and found plenty of shorebirds, but nothing new. Numbers of various species are about the same as they have been for awhile, though short-billed Dowitchers have not been present for the past week or so.
Nick recently commented to me at Area K that juvenile shorebird migration seems to be late this year, and from what I've seen at Coal Oil Point, I would agree. What I have been seeing are returning (molting) adults.
There continues to be a single Forester's Tern basic adult in the Elegant-Royal Tern flock, though this morning, it was a different bird than the one I've been seeing before.
Florence Sanchez
(PS--I checked for the Neotropic Cormorant at Deverux today and found it perching in the bare tree where it often sits. The tree is just downstream from the parking area at the broken bridge, but best seen from the Nature Center Parking Lot across the road.)
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Thank you for subscribing to the <daily> Santa Barbara County Rare Bird Alert. The report below shows observations of rare birds in Santa Barbara County. View or unsubscribe to this alert at https://ebird.org/alert/summary?sid=SN35915 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/
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Thank you for subscribing to the <daily> Santa Barbara County Rare Bird Alert. The report below shows observations of rare birds in Santa Barbara County. View or unsubscribe to this alert at https://ebird.org/alert/summary?sid=SN35915 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.
Solitary Sandpiper (Tringa solitaria) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Aug 13, 2026 14:14 by James Rounds
- 5638–5776 E Highway 246, Lompoc US-CA 34.64962, -120.30984, Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.309838&<ll...>,-120.309838 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S383021347 - Comments: "Saw a larger peep circle briefly around the stock pond on the side of the highway. Stopped to see if I could find it. White underneath, attractively spotted back. Eye ring."
Marbled Murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus) (3)
- Reported Aug 14, 2026 08:00 by Noah Gaines
- Jalama Beach County Park, Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-120.5014432&<ll...>,-120.5014432 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S383359462 - Comments: "I saw a single of a murrelet last night when the light was bad. This morning I found 3. Yesterday the bird was to the right of the creek mouth, today they were to the L. They stayed between the waves and the kelp. They were mostly bobbing around but started diving a bit later. They were near some PALOs for size comparison. I was able to see distinct white on the bottoms of the loons so this made me feel more confident in the dark coloration of these birds (that it was not just bad light).
These Alcids were very small with short beaks, no neck, chunky body and short tails and appeared all dark. I have seen Marbled Murrelet before but not recently. I am not 100% on this ID, but fairly certain. I did not see any adult Murres in the area. I was viewing through binoculars and not a scope."
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Date: 8/13/26 4:48 pm From: Wim van Dam via groups.io <wim.van.dam...> Subject: [sbcobirding] Ecard spam
All:
It's hopefully obvious that Jim Moore's email account got compromised. Please ignore the evite messages that you received and don't click on the links in them. Jim's sbcobirding account has been switched to "moderated" status, which should stop this spam from appearing on sbcobirding.
Please do not reply to this email. If you should have any questions,
issues, or problems regarding this email, please visit our FAQs
<https://evites.ink/account/> page.
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Thank you for subscribing to the <daily> Santa Barbara County Rare Bird Alert. The report below shows observations of rare birds in Santa Barbara County. View or unsubscribe to this alert at https://ebird.org/alert/summary?sid=SN35915 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: 8/13/26 11:09 am From: Florence Sanchez via groups.io <sanchezucsb11...> Subject: Re: [sbcobirding] Another Semipalmated Sandpiper
A group of four of us tried valiantly to re-find this Sandpiper at Area K this morning, but we came up short. Because of the heavy overcast, viewing conditions were unusually good for this time of day.
We moved on to Devereux, where we combed through the small Sandpiper flock there and found nothing present except Western and Least Sandpipers.
Florence Sanchez
On Wednesday, August 12, 2026 at 07:16:26 PM PDT, Nick Lethaby via groups.io <nlethaby...> wrote:
All,
This evening, I saw another Semipalmated Sandpiper at Area K, a different juvenile to the one from a few days ago. There was also the first juv SB Dowitcher of the season there
Regards,
Nick LethabyGoleta, <CAnlethaby...>+1 805 284 6200
Date: 8/12/26 7:16 pm From: Nick Lethaby via groups.io <nlethaby...> Subject: [sbcobirding] Another Semipalmated Sandpiper
All,
This evening, I saw another Semipalmated Sandpiper at Area K, a different juvenile to the one from a few days ago. There was also the first juv SB Dowitcher of the season there
Regards,
Nick Lethaby Goleta, CA <nlethaby...> +1 805 284 6200
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Thank you for subscribing to the <daily> Santa Barbara County Rare Bird Alert. The report below shows observations of rare birds in Santa Barbara County. View or unsubscribe to this alert at https://ebird.org/alert/summary?sid=SN35915 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: 8/12/26 2:38 am From: Peter Schneekloth via groups.io <peterschneekloth...> Subject: Re: [sbcobirding] Figueroa Mountain Purple Martin breeding update
Responding to John Lewis's request for further comments of Figuroa Mountain bird activity this year I can add a bit on my observations. Not all of these are necessarily related to recovery from the fire as per John's request for feedback. Several good winters of rain may have had an impact as well.
1. Lawerence's Goldfinches were very numerous in the burn area along Figueroa Mountain Road between the burned-out campground and Davey Brown trailhead.
2. Lazuli Buntings were in good numbers in the area mentioned above and also in the burned-out area of Cachuma Creek above Cachuma Campground. On April 6 and especially April 9 I had Lazuli Buntings migrating up Lion Canyon and passing over the saddle just below Ranger Peak towards the back country. On the 9th I had a rough estimate of 120 or so pass over in about 30 minutes. The birds were coming in pulses so fully accurate count and ID of every bird not possible but this number a good estimate. I plan to revisit this spot next spring.
3. Several trips down Davey Brown trail did not yield any Cassin's Vireo in areas where they are usually reliable, not surprising with most of the understory burned away. There sure were a lot of Humbolt Lily visible though.
4. I had confirmed breeding of Northern Pygmy Owl a bit lower down on E and W slope of mountain and a few more heard only records within Sedgwick Reserve (restricted access).
5. Olive-sided Flycatcher seemed a bit more common than usual with upwards of 3 pair on the summit and 3 more over at Ranger Peak/East Pinery area.
6. Oaks seemed to blossom a bit early this year and it is these blossoming trees where I tend to find mixed flocks of stop-over passerines. The flocks were very had to find this year.
Date: 8/11/26 1:02 pm From: Florence Sanchez via groups.io <sanchezucsb11...> Subject: [sbcobirding] Devereux Slough Aug. 11
I made a short stop at Devereux Slough this morning. I didn't See the continuing Neotropic Cormorant, but I met David Blue at the half-bridge and he said he'd had it earlier perched in the tree where the cormorants often roost.
I concentrated on the small group of Sandpipers that were feeding just north of the bridge parking spot. Again, just Western and Least Sandpipers made up the mix, though I found a Spotted Sandpiper along the near edge of the Channel as well. I had an Osprey circling overhead for a few minutes--the first one I've seen at this location in a while.
One of the Least Sandpipers was very odd-looking. It had a large white patch on the Primaries or wing coverts on one side. In addition, it was also larger than any of the other Least Sandpipers in the group. However, the rest of its coloration and the small, delicate shape of its bill certainly looked like Least. (A "Greater Least"?) We compared it with other possible Shorebirds and ruled out both Bairds and Pectoral for many reasons. I think David got a photo of this bird and I showed it to the Levasheffs and Jeff Hanson as well.
Shorebirds are fun sometimes . . .
Florence Sanchez
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Thank you for subscribing to the <daily> Santa Barbara County Rare Bird Alert. The report below shows observations of rare birds in Santa Barbara County. View or unsubscribe to this alert at https://ebird.org/alert/summary?sid=SN35915 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: 8/11/26 7:39 am From: Florence Sanchez via groups.io <sanchezucsb11...> Subject: [sbcobirding] No Semiplamated Sandpiper found at Area K Last evening (Aug. 10)
For over an hour, Nick Lethaby and I sorted through every small sandpiper that we could find at Area K last evening. We did not turn up a Semipalmated Sandpiper. The area is drying up fast and we noticed a definite decrease in the Egrets that have been hunting there, as well as fewer Greater Yellowlegs and Black-necked Stilts. Meanwhile, the number of Kildeer seems to have increased.
Best we can hope for at this point is that we'll get another Semi-palm somewhere else this season.
Florence Sanchez
Date: 8/10/26 10:59 am From: Florence Sanchez via groups.io <sanchezucsb11...> Subject: [sbcobirding] San Jose Creek August 10
A quieter place from what it's been for the past two days in that there were very few birds of any species singing this morning. I'm not sure if it's because it was overcast to start or what, but I didn't hear a Yellow Warbler or a Hutton's Vireo sing or call until the sun peeked out at 9 a.m., and then only briefly. No Red-eyed Vireo seen or heard at all. This is what I would normally expect at riparian habitats around here in August, but it was a little disappointing.
I then went to Devereux Slough, where I spent a lot of time looking on the through the Sandpiper flock that often hangs out on the mudflats upstream of the half bridge. Had great views of some 30+ birds, but they were all juvenile Westerns of Least Sandpipers. Sometimes there have been Semi-palmated Plovers with this flock, but not this morning. A lone Red-necked Phalarope was swimming further out in the estuary.
Florence
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Thank you for subscribing to the <daily> Santa Barbara County Rare Bird Alert. The report below shows observations of rare birds in Santa Barbara County. View or unsubscribe to this alert at https://ebird.org/alert/summary?sid=SN35915 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.
Solitary Sandpiper (Tringa solitaria) (1)
- Reported Aug 09, 2026 08:11 by Laurel S Luby
- Carpinteria Salt Marsh Reserve (restricted access), Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-119.5353699&<ll...>,-119.5353699 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S381698627 - Media: 2 Photos
- Comments: "First heard it fly over and then saw it at outlet with Willets and Black-bellied Plovers. Medium sized with bold white eye ring, yellow green legs, bobbing tail as foraging. Photos"
Solitary Sandpiper (Tringa solitaria) (1)
- Reported Aug 09, 2026 08:11 by Andrew Brooks
- Carpinteria Salt Marsh Reserve (restricted access), Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-119.5353699&<ll...>,-119.5353699 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S381707906 - Media: 2 Photos
- Comments: "First heard it fly over and then saw it at outlet with Willets and Black-bellied Plovers. Medium sized with bold white eye ring, yellow green legs . Photos"
Solitary Sandpiper (Tringa solitaria) (1)
- Reported Aug 09, 2026 08:11 by Tom Beland
- Carpinteria Salt Marsh Reserve (restricted access), Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-119.5353699&<ll...>,-119.5353699 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S381706076 - Media: 2 Photos
- Comments: "First heard it fly over and then saw it at outlet with Willets and Black-bellied Plovers. Medium sized with bold white eye ring, yellow green legs . Photos"
Semipalmated Sandpiper (Calidris pusilla) (1)
- Reported Aug 09, 2026 12:34 by David Compton
- Goleta Slough Ecological Reserve--Areas I, J, K, L, M, and N, Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-119.84824&<ll...>,-119.84824 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S381734049 - Comments: "Juvenile, seen close in. Short, straight bill with broad tip, dark cap compared to Western and contrasting with pale supercilium, darker face than in Western, dark legs, slightly larger than nearby Least. This individual also lacked the obvious red on the scapulars, visible in young Westerns."
Neotropic Cormorant (Nannopterum brasilianum) (1)
- Reported Aug 09, 2026 06:59 by Mario Ramos
- Coal Oil Point Natural Reserve--Devereux Lagoon, Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-119.8756027&<ll...>,-119.8756027 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S381762519 - Media: 1 Photo
- Comments: "Continuing Neotropic Cormorant. Observed perched in a tree on the south side of the pullout at the half bridge. Faint white border and no yellow visible on the lores. Photographed from the pullout"
Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus) (1)
- Reported Aug 10, 2026 06:34 by Craig Prater
- San Jose Creek--North of Cathedral Oaks, Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-119.8107304&<ll...>,-119.8107304 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S381953806 - Comments: "Faintly heard but did not see on La Josa Rd near intersection with N. Patterson, near where spotted by others recently. Several sound IDs by Merlin. Will post audio later. Did not see or hear from N. Patterson bridge over San Jose Creek."
Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus) (1)
- Reported Aug 09, 2026 07:18 by David Blue
- San Jose Creek--North of Cathedral Oaks, Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-119.8107304&<ll...>,-119.8107304 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S381776186 - Media: 3 Photos
- Comments: "This bird was olive-green above with no wingbars, and white below. It had a dark eyeline, and a long distinct white eyebrow with a dark stripe above it bordering a gray crown. The bill was longer and thicker than those of our Western Warbling Vireos.
It was quite vocal at times, singing its repetitive musical phrases nonstop for many minutes from high up in the trees. It was first heard at the end of La Josa Road, 200 yards north of Patterson Avenue. Later it was heard and seen looking south from the bridge where Patterson Avenue crosses San Jose Creek. It flew back and forth from one side of the creek to the other and vocalized strongly from the trees on both sides.
This is quite possibly a summering bird as it was first heard here by Thomas Turner on June 2, 2026, and then again by him on August 7."
Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus) (1)
- Reported Aug 09, 2026 07:18 by Linda Blue
- San Jose Creek--North of Cathedral Oaks, Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-119.8107304&<ll...>,-119.8107304 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S381776188 - Media: 3 Photos
- Comments: "This bird was olive-green above with no wingbars, and white below. It had a dark eyeline, and a long distinct white eyebrow with a dark stripe above it bordering a gray crown. The bill was longer and thicker than those of our Western Warbling Vireos.
It was quite vocal at times, singing its repetitive musical phrases nonstop for many minutes from high up in the trees. It was first heard at the end of La Josa Road, 200 yards north of Patterson Avenue. Later it was heard and seen looking south from the bridge where Patterson Avenue crosses San Jose Creek. It flew back and forth from one side of the creek to the other and vocalized strongly from the trees on both sides.
This is quite possibly a summering bird as it was first heard here by Thomas Turner on June 2, 2026, and then again by him on August 7."
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Date: 8/10/26 6:48 am From: Florence Sanchez via groups.io <sanchezucsb11...> Subject: [sbcobirding] Last evening at Area K
Four birders tried our best to pick up a Semi-palmated Sandpiper at Area K last evening. At that time of day, the glare and heat-shimmer problems were much les than in the morning, but the birds had moved to the center of the wetland and were really distant. Even at high power, I had a prospect but just couldn't be sure it was a Semi-palm. One birder digi-scoped a possible bird but the photo was not sharp due to the distance and "possible" was the best adjective that could be applied.
Eventually the birds flew nearer the eastern end of the wetland where they were easier to see, but still no viable prospect for Semi-palm. I also did not see the bird that in the morning, appeared it could be a Baird's Sandpiper.
Florence Sanchez
Date: 8/10/26 6:36 am From: John Lewis via groups.io <jwlew...> Subject: Re: [sbcobirding] Figueroa Mountain Purple Martin breeding update
I returned to the summit yesterday morning for the first time since early July and saw no sign of the Purple Martins. I spent several minutes at the nesting cavity and observed no activity there. I didn't have time to explore nearby areas so it's possible they are still there but have left the summit area.
It will be interesting to see if this becomes an established breeding site for the PuMas. I recently looked at the observational data through Bird View and saw there have been several random sightings in the mountain areas over the years, but perhaps most relevant is Lynn Scarlett's 2025 report of one PuMa near the Figueroa Mountain summit. So it seems they have been active in the area at least two years in a row, so we can be hopeful they'll return next year.
My overall sense is that the mountain has recovered well from the 2024 Lake Fire, and that there was a greater number and diversity of birds present this year. Of course, much of the summit was spared from the worst of the fire, so perhaps it makes sense that this would be an area of more concentrated bird activity. Earlier this year, in addition to the PuMa's, I saw a group of about 16 Lawrence's Goldfinch, a trio of Northern Pygmy Owls, and what seemed to me to be greater numbers of Purple Finch, Western Wood Pewee, Mountain Quail, Ash Throated Flycatchers and Steller's Jay. I am curious to hear others thoughts about this.
Date: 8/9/26 3:59 pm From: Dave Compton via groups.io <davcompton60...> Subject: Re: [sbcobirding] Area K this morning (Aug 9)
Hi Florence and everyone,
The Semipalmated Sandpiper was close in and easily identified in the early
afternoon, at least for a few minutes. I took my eye off it and lost it,
after getting good looks. If I had seen it even in the middle of the basin,
it might've been hard to ID, with the heat haze.
Shorebird numbers and variety were decent enough, for an area as small as
Area K, but not as good as they can be here. Both dowitcher species were
present, as were Lesser Yellowlegs (heard, then seen flying off to the
east), Greater Yellowlegs, Western and Least Sandpiper (a few dozen peeps
overall), Killdeer, and Semipalmated Plover. All the Black-necked Stilts I
saw were in Basin B/C, the basin farther east that has a bunch of water at
the moment. Some phalaropes were out there, too, but I could not say for
sure which kind.
Dave Compton
Santa Barbara
On Sun, Aug 9, 2026 at 2:43 PM Florence Sanchez via groups.io
<sanchezucsb11...> wrote:
> After getting the Red-eyed Vireo, I went to area K where Nick Lethaby
> reported a Semi-palmated Sandpiper last evening.
>
> As I anticipated, the glare from the morning sun made viewing difficult
> but I resolutely combed through a group of about 25 Sandpipers repeatedly
> without coming up with anything I felt comfortable calling a Semi-palmated
> Sandpiper. I did keep coming back to a bird that appeared to be an adult
> Baird's sandpiper, but I needed a better (or closer) view to be sure.
> Finally, eyestrain and a headache forced me to give it up for this morning.
>
> I stopped at Devereux where I did not turn up the Neotropic Cormorant.
> There was a nice group of shorebirds feeding on a small mudflat just north
> of the half-bridge. Nothing rare among them. I couldn't help wishing that
> the Semi-palmated Sandpiper had shown up there where the viewing was good,
> there was no heat shimmer, and one could stand in shade to observe.
>
> Florence Sanchez
>
>
>
>
Date: 8/9/26 2:43 pm From: Florence Sanchez via groups.io <sanchezucsb11...> Subject: [sbcobirding] Area K this morning (Aug 9)
After getting the Red-eyed Vireo, I went to area K where Nick Lethaby reported a Semi-palmated Sandpiper last evening.
As I anticipated, the glare from the morning sun made viewing difficult but I resolutely combed through a group of about 25 Sandpipers repeatedly without coming up with anything I felt comfortable calling a Semi-palmated Sandpiper. I did keep coming back to a bird that appeared to be an adult Baird's sandpiper, but I needed a better (or closer) view to be sure. Finally, eyestrain and a headache forced me to give it up for this morning.
I stopped at Devereux where I did not turn up the Neotropic Cormorant. There was a nice group of shorebirds feeding on a small mudflat just north of the half-bridge. Nothing rare among them. I couldn't help wishing that the Semi-palmated Sandpiper had shown up there where the viewing was good, there was no heat shimmer, and one could stand in shade to observe.
Florence Sanchez
Date: 8/9/26 2:36 pm From: Florence Sanchez via groups.io <sanchezucsb11...> Subject: [sbcobirding] A Little more on San Jose Creek
As reported earlier, Rob Hofberg and I heard and saw (for me, briefly saw) the Red-eyed Vireo on San Jose Creek at North Patterson Avenue early this morning. I'm glad a later group had it low enough for photographs--when I was there it tended to stay very high up.
Whether one turns up the Vireo or not, it's a great place to bird right now and unusually active for August. A lot of stuff is still singing and I've had a nice complement of singing warblers on my visits: Yellow, Orange-crowned, Wilson's, and Common Yellowthroat. Best surprise yesterday (when I did NOT see or hear the Vireo), was a male Western Tanager high up in a eucalyptus tree.
Florence Sanchez
Date: 8/9/26 12:51 pm From: Adrian O'Loghlen via groups.io <aologhlen...> Subject: Re: [sbcobirding] Red-eyed Vireo
A small group of birders had relatively good views of this bird from the N Patterson Ave bridge later in the morning around 10:45 am. It was down low in a tree at the south east corner of the bridge (34.457601, -119.810462). It was singing loudly.
Date: 8/9/26 8:37 am From: Florence Sanchez via groups.io <sanchezucsb11...> Subject: [sbcobirding] Red-eyed Vireo
Singing loudly on San Jose Creek at North Patterson and Queen Anne Lane. Has been on both sides of the Patterson Bridge. Tends to stay high in various trees.
Florence Sanchez
Date: 8/9/26 8:31 am From: Rob Hofberg via groups.io <rhofberg...> Subject: [sbcobirding] Red-eyed Vireo
This morning at 8:00 Florence Sanchez and I found the red-eyed vireo at the corner of Patterson and the San Jose creek bridge. It was singing loudly. We followed it up the creek a bit and then flew out of sight.
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Thank you for subscribing to the <daily> Santa Barbara County Rare Bird Alert. The report below shows observations of rare birds in Santa Barbara County. View or unsubscribe to this alert at https://ebird.org/alert/summary?sid=SN35915 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.
Neotropic Cormorant (Nannopterum brasilianum) (1)
- Reported Aug 08, 2026 08:05 by David Blue
- Coal Oil Point Natural Reserve--Devereux Lagoon, Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-119.8756027&<ll...>,-119.8756027 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S381303767 - Media: 7 Photos
- Comments: "A continuing bird reported August 2 by Nick Lethaby. The submitted photos show the orange facial skin coming to a point at an acute angle and bordered by a very thin faint white line, and no yellow on the lore.
This bird was perched in a tree on the left (south) side of the pullout at the half bridge and was photographed from this location:
(34.4116231, -119.8770116)
It was first seen at 8:05 AM and then flew off alone at 8:14 down the slough toward the beach."
Along La Josa Road. Just east of the creek, in a mix of live oak and avocado trees: (34.45874,-119.80870).
Sang briefly a few times but it was more distant at that point so audio quality is poor.
Presumably a continuing bird, reported most recently yesterday morning. It briefly seemed possible that there were two individuals in the same tree although I think that's unlikely given their rarity here."
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: 8/8/26 12:51 pm From: Dave Compton via groups.io <davcompton60...> Subject: [sbcobirding] Black-and-White Warbler at Goleta tech park
At the business park in Goleta formerly known as LogMeIn, a Bland-and -White Warblerm was in a Tipuana tipu tree in the far southwest corner this morning. Otherwise, things were slow.
No sign of the presumed Neotropic Cormorant at Devereux around midday.
---------------------------------------------
Thank you for subscribing to the <daily> Santa Barbara County Rare Bird Alert. The report below shows observations of rare birds in Santa Barbara County. View or unsubscribe to this alert at https://ebird.org/alert/summary?sid=SN35915 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.
Nazca Booby (Sula granti) (1)
- Reported Aug 07, 2026 10:45 by Alex Eberts
- Prisoner's and Scorpion's harbors transfer (inshore), Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-119.5945501&<ll...>,-119.5945501 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S380968798 - Comments: "What an unexpected surprise! Subadult but mostly in adult plumage. Orangeish bill and white central tail feathers. Insanely close pass as it flew alongside the boat as we approached the island."
Nazca Booby (Sula granti) (1)
- Reported Aug 07, 2026 10:45 by Wenzheng Fang
- Prisoner's and Scorpion's harbors transfer (inshore), Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-119.5945501&<ll...>,-119.5945501 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S380986484 - Comments: "What an unexpected surprise! Subadult but mostly in adult plumage. Orangeish bill and white central tail feathers. Insanely close pass as it flew alongside the boat as we approached the island."
Cooper's Hawk (Astur cooperii) (1)
- Reported Aug 07, 2026 11:00 by Alex Eberts
- Santa Cruz Island--Prisoners Harbor, Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-119.6821404&<ll...>,-119.6821404 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S380969635 - Comments: "Juvenile, seemed pretty small so likely male. Flew into the trees above the picnic tables by the base of the pier and rested for a few minutes before flying off. Was able to see the graduated tail feathers and more prominent orbital ridge giving it an “angry” expression to rule out Sharp-shinned Hawk. Will post 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/
Date: 8/7/26 7:45 pm From: Florence Sanchez via groups.io <sanchezucsb11...> Subject: [sbcobirding] Area K August 7
I spent some time at this spot around 5 p.m. today. The place is changing rapidly, with a good section of the eastern end of the wetland now almost dry. This resulted in more shorebird activity in the middle of the wetland, but also pushed the Egret community down to the front of the wetland, where they are hard to see from above.
Dominant species are still Black-necked Stilts and Greater Yellowlegs. I found also found 1 Lesser Yellowlegs, Kildeer, 2 Dowitchers and one each Wilson's and Red-necked Plovers. In the far pod nearer the runway, I could make out at least a half dozen Phalaropes on the water, but the distance and heat haze was such that I could not determine the species, even at highest power through my scope.
I did not re-find the Solitary Sandpiper I saw at this location on Wednessday morning.
Florence Sanchez
Date: 8/7/26 10:27 am From: Thomas Turner via groups.io <habarimbu...> Subject: Re: [sbcobirding] Red Eyed Vireo
Hi Em,
I saw your post of eBird from last month, so I think you might be right. But if it has been singing regularly, it has been doing it somewhere else. I’m not great at spotting birds, but I’m always listening; I live nearby and walk around here all the time. This morning I could hear it from my house!
Tom
> On Aug 7, 2026, at 10:14 AM, Em Stephen via groups.io <em.stephen...> wrote:
>
> It's possible it's different birds, but I think it's likely this one is oversummering -- saw it with my mom about a month ago at vineyard rd and saw that someone else had it about a month before then.
>
Date: 8/7/26 10:14 am From: Em Stephen via groups.io <em.stephen...> Subject: Re: [sbcobirding] Red Eyed Vireo
It's possible it's different birds, but I think it's likely this one is oversummering -- saw it with my mom about a month ago at vineyard rd and saw that someone else had it about a month before then.
Date: 8/7/26 9:27 am From: Thomas Turner via groups.io <habarimbu...> Subject: [sbcobirding] Red Eyed Vireo
I think I heard a Red Eyed Vireo singing on San Jose Creek this morning. I never saw the bird, and Merlin declined to name it based on the recording, so your thoughts are welcome. I unintentionally deleted the best recording, but I did manage this one:
https://ebird.org/checklist/S380851661 This is quite near where I heard & saw one in the spring, but I haven’t heard it singing again since then, and I’m out there about once a week.
---------------------------------------------
Thank you for subscribing to the <daily> Santa Barbara County Rare Bird Alert. The report below shows observations of rare birds in Santa Barbara County. View or unsubscribe to this alert at https://ebird.org/alert/summary?sid=SN35915 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.
Neotropic Cormorant (Nannopterum brasilianum) (1)
- Reported Aug 06, 2026 08:08 by Eunice Schroeder
- Coal Oil Point Natural Reserve--Devereux Lagoon, Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-119.8756027&<ll...>,-119.8756027 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S380589174 - Media: 3 Photos
- Comments: "Continuing immature. Flew into one of the trees across the road from the parking lot by the nature center just after I got out of my car, and remained perching there almost the whole time I was there. Smaller, slimmer, shorter-billed and longer-tailed than the Double-crested Cormorants also perching in the tree. Yellow facial skin at the end of the lower and upper mandibles is angled, like a sideways V, where they meet the cheek and throat, and there is no yellow skin present at the lores, in contrast with DCCO’s. Photos."
Swinhoe's White-eye (Zosterops simplex) (Exotic: Naturalized) (2)
- Reported Aug 06, 2026 15:39 by Dominick Burnham
- 3304 State St, Santa Barbara US-CA 34.44048, -119.73497, Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-119.734971&<ll...>,-119.734971 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S380623339 - Comments: "Male with white eye ring and female or juvenile. Coming from and going back to one of the huge fig trees along the 3300 block of State Street, near the First Bank. Heard on Tuesday as well but couldn’t find this bird. Noticed the unique call, and Merlin detected it, both days."
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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/
