1980 R.L. Mumme Melanerpes formicivorus Plague 10 May After checking both holes, start watch at 0700 at the lab Valley oak hole. Intermittent light rain. 0740, rain heavier. ♀ 496 comes to hole briefly, flies off. 0759 ♂ 473 at hole briefly, 0759.30, ♀ 494 enters hole. After 4 min, heads out. Raining pretty hard. 806:50, ♂ 473 visits, flies off. 0812, She leaves. Checking nest Hot Damn!! One sweet fresh egg in the hole laid without doubt by ♀ 494 Red-White/Red Great! The Dominant ♀, too, laying first. 1010, nobody else at nest, relieved b.y. Narry 1121, ♀ 494 working at hole at top of old nest tree. Why? 1208, Follow ♂ 473 of ♀ 494. Good dom. * intermission. On top of 2nd tree, ♀ 494, good posts at head ♀ 496 ♂ 473 nearby. Another follow. 1340 (1240) Lots of Bluebird action, ♂ 521 over defending P? of Bluebirds seen in hole, one removing a wood chip (egg fragment?), ♂ 521 sticks his head in, actually enters lower hole. 1356 ♂ 521 comes to hole with an arum bit! (he's a little early) 1452, ♀ 494, attended by ♂ 473 (call it a follow) looks i. to hole, flies off. ♂ 521 did the same a few minute ago: Just before I had checked hole, just making sure bluebird removed wood chip: It did! Note: The Egg was laid at 0800 PDT, 0700 PST.