1981 Walter D. Koenig Melanerpes fornicatus Lower Haystack Hastings Reservation (6 April) 2245. Ron has filled me in on the remainder of the day's activities (he arrived just as I was leaving and stayed until late in the afternoon). For details, see his notes. In brief, #524, of all birds and against all odds, appeared to have won the whole sweepstakes by about the time Ron began watching seriously at ~1500. This is quite amazing, considering that she didn't even arrive until ~1030 this morning. However, at this point I should mention that while I was taking down the net at about 1245, #524 was in the MT, getting chased (what seemed like handily!) by #587. Ron, however, noted by 1500 that #524, apparently on brute strength alone, had taken over and had begun to be mounted by the ♂, while #587 had at last been relegated off onto the periphery. By the time Ron left at ~1800 the 3 birds (the 2 ♂♂ and #524) were acting like they'd been together all their lives. This is truly an incredible (apparent) ending for this revolution: clearly brute force can more than make up for poor timing (Ron reports #524 to have been very aggressive!) Will #523 return to join her? For more details on all this, see Ron's notes. Ron also caught one more unbanded ♂, now #643 (apparently 1st-yr). 9 April 1630. Things fairly quiet; #307, #604 seen. Looks solid for the School Hill ♂♂ - there are several here, eating acorns and generally acting at home.