1980 Walter D. Koenig Melanerpes formicivorus Gazebo Hastings Reservation 22 May 1980. Despite the cold evening I came over and banded the 4 babies here, who are w/o #569-572. 24 May 1415. Walked around here, not seeing anyone in any new holes (I didn't check the nest hole). However, strewn out below the hole in the lower Blue Oak that they were roosting in this spring was a cache of AW feathers, including numerous remiges, rectrices, and a few body feathers. On the limb above the hole (directly above it on the same limb) were numerous body feathers stuck here and there in the cracks. I looked all over for bands but couldn't find either bands or a body. However, somebody clearly put their end here fairly recently, either in or at the hole. Hopefully some remains may be in the hole (I'll try to check later) or at least maybe we can come across an obvious disappearance from the nest watches. 25 May 1000. Opened the worst hole in the Blue Oak where the feathers are, but there's noone inside. 26 May Gwen watched here today and reports the conspicuous absence of none other than #485, who is obviously the bird whose remains I found on the 24th. The other birds were feeding, however, and the babies will no doubt be alright. 7 June 1015. Saw #516 in passing, but otherwise nothing seemed to be going on here. 8 July 1600. Came by and walked around, flushing 3 birds, 2 of whom were @j M/LB-BL#571 and @j m/br-wrn#572. I wasn't able to locate a big cache of birds anywhere, however. 9 July 1500. Searching for birds here again. Flushed 2, one of whom was @j572. 1535. Finally, another one: @o DB-wrn/DB#516. @j M/LB-DB#571. At least 3 babies are here for sure.