2005 Walter D Koenig Melanerpes formicivorus Knoll HNHE 6 April Six birds flycatching here. Lots of stores. 11 April 1300. Hole #6593: 4 fresh eggs. Potential experimental group. Cleaned out a Starling nest (3 youngish babies) from hole #5555, but at least 2 other Starling nests around here! 13 April 1900. Watched nesting: 8 Dblue #2750 was in, but then got replaced conspicuously by 8 Lpm#2749 plus a 2nd bird I missed. Both stayed. 14 April 1000. Took the 4 eggs for this year's 1st experimental removal. Incubated them. ①26.8×19.6 ②26.3×19.3 ③26.3×18.2 ④25.4×19.3 24 April I finally gave up on the eggs, none of which developed! Banner. 3 May 1000. Checked hole (same one tag 6593): 4 fresh eggs ①25.1×19.1 ②25.0×19.1 ③25.6×18.9 ④25.6×19.1. 14 May 1345. 2 kids, 1 do, + 7 unhatched & infertile (or at least undeveloped) eggs (1 a runt). Looks like a final clutch of 9 here (1 a runt), of which only 2 hatched! Band 3 June. 2 ?? laying here?! What's the deal? 1 June 1500. Banded the 2 kids, one of which has a bum R eye. These guys have problems. 23 June 1100. New (2nd) nest in other tree (high hole #289) 5 freshish eggs. Measured 1: 26.9×17.5. 5 July 1500. Hole 5563 (lower hole) in good shape.