1978 Walter D. Koenig Melanerpes formicivorus Hastings Reservation and near vicinity, Monterey Co., Calif. (30 June) remains in the nest at all and nothing on the ground below; there was also little on the limb to suggest what or how. Nonetheless, if ever there was a good suggestion of dirty work (=predation) this was it—but what? Not a snake—they wouldn't leave any remains at all. Pam suggests a mammal (weasel?) as being a likely suspect to have pulled out primaries and various other feathers. It would have to have been a pretty sneaky one to get up to this nest, however, which is definitely on an overhang. Sigh. This group still has stores. Something strong did it—after all these babies would have weighed 80g+ apiece. Baby sounds are still coming from the 2nd nest here in the canyon—it's ok at least. 1 July Walked up Poison Oak Hill this morning with little success as far as nests go—I'm pretty sure at this point that nesting is a near washout up there this year. The PO Hill #9 group is out of stores, as is the Revolution Group. The 3rd group—where I banded 3 babies last year—does have stores, but I've found no obvious nest. I walked all the way up but hardly saw any woodpeckers at all; things are quiet all over. I did flush 1 bird with a wing-streamer between the Revolution territory and the big nest tree below it, but I'm not sure who it was. 7 July Pam saw j.m/or-Bm#437 (Blomone) today over on the opposite side of the pond from where he fledged. 15 July 800—Returned to the 2nd nest in Corral Viejo Canyon residues pulled out at base ↓ →nest