1980 R.L. Mumme Melanerpes formicivorus Road 1 Hastings Reservation 25 April Start watch 0945. ♂486 in nest. A very interesting watch. The dramatic pairing of 5 days ago has broken down completely, and if anything, reverse pairs are prevalent. Very neat! See data on reverse. My qualitative impression of nest care, all but ♀294 seem to be doing a lot. ♂294 seems to be a "sentinel" in the granary. 3 times ♀383 came to the nest when ♀269 was in, and each time ♀383 left without entering. End 1245, Back in the afternoon for a nest watch. A good one, but never saw ♂294. Interestingly, ♀383 never replaced ♀269. Twice 383 came to the nest with 269 inside, and both times 383 flew off. Only after ♂♂486 relieved ♀269 did ♀383 enter. It even seemed that ♀383 waited for those circumstances, then entered shortly after ♂486. Consequently, ♂486 had pretty short bouts. Roosting here, and ♂486 roosted in the nest! 26 April With Steve & Melinda Pruett-Jones, a combination nest and group watch - Went pretty well, an intruder chase by ♂294 More "pairing" data gathered, and it is looking as random as I had hoped. See the compilation on the back of page 10. At roosting, a switch, ♂486 entered the hole early, then left. ♂294 entered moments later, so apparently ♀294 roosted in the nest alone) 27 April Watched the nest from the road for a short time in