1987 Walter D. Koenig 5 Melanerpes formicivorus Plague (28 April) released immediately) and 8784, who I took blood from and then released. Shortly thereafter Katy did a watch and virtually no one came to The hole (except a short visit or 2 by 8973) so I guess They are freaked out (the ambush hole was ~10' above the next hole). I checked the hole at 1100- still 4 eggs. Hopefully they'll get back into it; I can only hope that all the disturbance (me, ambushes, and the workers at the barn, which now includes chainsawing, a dumptruck, and a dozer) hasn't finally got to them. At this point I'm going to give up catching 8521 and hope I can claim the experiment worked using 8723. 1800. 8521 in the hole! Maybe it's OK after all'. (looking out) 1815. 8723 came to hole, had a hard time holding on, flew off, now sitting on the branch nearby. 8521 still in the hole. * 1824. 8723 enters! (after 8521 left. 8723 had problems getting in, but he made it.) 1933. 8973 enters. Both in hole. (844. 8723 leaves. (No egg in Gill.) Yipee! Nest is OK, and 8723 now has definitely had the opportunity to get the eggs. 29 April 1530. Still 4 eggs. Set up an ambush and am going to try for 8521. 30 April 745. Still trying for 8521. However, birds are incubating fine; 8723 just left after 42 min. in The hole, mostly by himself.