1983 Walter D. Koenig 2 Melanerpes formicivorus Wertgate HNHR (22 March) 1130. 8692 (Waate) definitely doing a lot of fighting. But most intruders are ff, except for the Gate helpers. At least 3 ub ff here. 1138. 858 in center with the 3 ff. At least 12 birds involved now, including 4+ ub ff. Gate birds still have, inc. 9685. But she and the ub ff are definitely at the periphery of the tree (except for the 3rd f with the 2 ARF,TDD birds.) 1615. Replacing Susan. The ARF,TDD birds have been outdone by a coalition of 5 (!) unbanded ff! Am now watching. Weather is cool & windy but not raining now. 1620. The 5 (have only confirmed 4 so far) ff definitely have the Sycamore sewed up. But there are a few others still on the periphery. Otherwise there's little chasing in the Sycamore, but frantic activity as the birds fly around, congregate, and greet each other incessantly. 1625. There are indeed 7 birds here- presumably the 2dd and 5ff. 1630. An intruder in the Sycamore was chased off by a veritable flock of birds! All 7 are still here. 1700. There's an ub f & f in the Valley Oaks by the Hallisey's Driveway, but no intruders in the central area, where the 7 are still at it. It's only these birds in the periphery who are giving occasional carricks - essentially only a monoculture of Waates is coming from the granary. 1715. There's still some chasing going on over at Gate.