1981 Walder D. Koenig Melanerpes formicivorus Lower Haystack Hastings Reservation (29 April) 840. Someone at the Blue Oak hole again. 936. I made a new cut in the '79 hole; also Ron checked the Blue Oak hole. Both were empty. 30 April Add: 9523 and 524. Both joined this group on 6 April following a tour de force by 9524, who single handedly paved the way for a School Hill victory. Their younger sisters (9602 and 9604) also both were here for awhile, now seem not to be staying here, although 9604 is still hanging around in the area wishing she could! 3 May 900. Watching the '80 nesthole, where 9523 laid this morning. 916. 9524 lands at hole, enters. Followed fairly closely by 8461, who also lands at the hole, dips in, hangs around for 20s while 9523 comes and lands at the hole, dips in and then leaves w/o entering. ~10s later 8461 leaves. Finally, after another 20-30s, 9524 looks out and leaves, w/o the egg. 940. At least it's not over yet: 9524 didn't lay an egg (only 1 in hole). 1043. 9523 flew to hole twice; left both times w/o entering. 1050. 8307 flew to the hole 3 times, entering each time. (about 2 m apart). The 1st 2 times he removed fairly large chunks of "DAP" I'd inadvertently left in the hole. The 3rd time, he tossed the egg !! I did not mistake the identity! In between his 1st and 2nd visit, 9524 came to the hole, but did not enter. Wow! The plot thickens!! 1110. The hole is indeed empty. I did not make this up.