A SEATTLE TIMES EDITOR was well-known for her, shall we say, carrying voice and raucous laugh. Even if my colleagues and I never saw her, we all knew when she was in the newsroom, even if she was on the far side of the building.
It’s been like that with the arrival on Center Island this past week of an old friend. So far I’ve heard but not seen this migratory newcomer known for his distinctive song that resembles a farmhand’s pub order after a long day of slopping the hogs: “Quick, three beers!”
Yes, it’s every birder’s old drinking buddy, the Olive-sided Flycatcher.
“A little early in the day for me,” I quipped this morning to neighbor John, the Mad Birder, when I heard the unmistakable “three beers” refrain ring out from a nearby tree. Chuckling, he noted that the American Goldfinch, of which Center Island has many right now — including crowds of fumbling, newly fledged youngsters — have a call thought to sound like “potato chip, potato chip.” So, when he hears the two birds together, he’s ready for happy hour.
I have a new home brew that I bottled just about the same day the Flycatchers showed up, so I’ve named the beer accordingly: Flycatcher Quick 3 Beers! IPA.
I should probably have included one of those “Enjoy Responsibly” disclaimers on the label, eh?
Stay safe, stay healthy, and have a good weekend. 
Cantwell's Reef 
We miss you guys and your little birds as well 😉
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How did you do the graphic art? It’s fantastic, along with your prose.
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Oh, you flatter me (don’t stop!). Having long been an unfulfilled graphic artist (with modest talents at it),I enjoy making the labels almost as much as I enjoy drinking the beer. No fancy software, just Microsoft Word. The Audubon artwork is public domain stuff found online. 🙂 Thanks for the kind words.
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