I had my first Olive-sided Flycatcher (Contopus cooperi) of the season just a few minutes ago, here at the Palomarin Field Station. For some reason I could not place the song as it was only doing the Three-Beers, of the expected Quick-Three-Beers song. So after I had the Director of the Terrestrial Divison (Geoff Geupel) and the banding coordinator (Diana Humple) help me listen for the bird, I was able to confirm the ID. And even though not knowing that bird off-the-bat makes me feel rusty, it feels good to have heard such a wonderful bird again after all these months.

~Chad (04/25/2006)