[EBB Sightings] a big disappointment

This is consistent with my own observations, as I mentioned in earlier 
posts.  The Olive-sided Flycatcher was in my yard every year from 1992 until 
2003, then I only heard them in the distance.  Now I rarely hear one at all. 
I have a list of birds for which I note arrival dates in my yard each Spring 
or Fall.  The Olive-sided Flycatcher is no longer on that list.

Johan Langewis
Oakland


----- Original Message ----- 
From: 
To: "audubon mt.diablo" 
Sent: Wednesday, May 27, 2009 9:04 AM
Subject: [EBB Sightings] a big disappointment



Dear Birders:

Try as I might, I can no longer hear the loud, ringing call of the 
Olive-sided Flycatcher. Since childhood, it is the bird above all others, 
that signaled the beginning of summer.

It had arrived here last week and appeared to be setting up shop in a tall 
eucalyptus where it had a "bird's eye" view of the neighborhood and any 
passing insect.

Now after three days of quiet from that quarter, the flycatcher appears to 
have moved on. Why? No prospective mate, an insufficiency of succulent 
insects? The Olive-sided Flycatcher is a species in serious decline. The 
reason is uncertain but speculation suggests changes in its winter habitat.

Of all the passerine species, the Olive-sided Flycatcher may hold the record 
for long distance and protracted migrations, some traveling from the Andes 
in South American to nesting grounds in Alaska. Once established on its 
territory, it's a fierce defender of its nest with both the male and female 
driving off all real and perceived enemies.

Whoever is responsible for writing about the species for Birds of North 
America online is also clearly a fan of the Olive-sided Flycatchers using 
some colorful language -- words like "sallying" to describe the way the bird 
leaves its perch to snag an insect (honey bees being a particular favorite) 
and "yo-yo" to describe how they often return to the same perch.

Sallying and yo-yoing aside, our local Olive-sided Flycatcher has gone 
elsewhere and our summer will be poorer for its departure.

Phila Rogers







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