A birder friend here sometimes leads “bird walks” in the spring – and he identifies birds almost always by their calls and songs. Having no musical ear, the easiest calls for me to recognize are ones humans attach words to. The olive-sided flycatcher is unmistakable with its throaty “quick three beers!”
Migrants (wintering from Panama south to the Andes), these insect eaters return between the last days of April and June. Nearly always I hear that request for immediate service about the 16th of May.
The Seattle Audubon Society website lists the olive-sided flycatcher as a species-of-concern because they are in decline. That means hearing the call is cause for celebration – and refreshment after such a long flight.
her spirits rose... 