1988 Walter D Koenig Melanerpes formicivorus Central Canyon HNHR 1 May This group was discovered a week or so ago when Mark and Shorty saw a bird going in a hole in the dead Valley Oak up the Central Canyon. Sure enough, they had babies (3), about 12 days old today. Other important features: The birds are unbanded, hence not laguna, and they have some acorns stored in the bank of the tree, hence they've been there all winter (!) In any case, this evening I went and caught a ♀ at the nest, so now someone here, at least, is banded. Watching a bit, they (2 only) seem to fly up over to the Hastings side of Blonkoll, hence they don't appear to be Refule 1 birds either. Amazing! 7 May Tried to catch the ♂ for about an hour this afternoon, but only the ♀ I caught on the 1st fed. However, she'd fly off a couple of times to the 2nd canyon, so it's possible that these may be birds we originally (= last fall) called Refule 1 birds after all. 8 May 1030. Set up to try for the ♂ again. 1230. The ♂ (I think only 1) came several times, but the birds don't tend to go in anymore, or they stay only a very short time. I'll try ambushing in the morning. 9 May 500. Got him! He's now ♂1523. I also banded the babies as #1524-1526, and then put them all back in the hole (blocking it up for 5 min) before releasing The ♂. Most likely, this is everyone in this group (it's just a pair). 13 June *Group update* I'm going to assume that the putative "Refule 1" birds were this