1988 Walter D. Koenig Melanerpes formicivorus Blonthree HNHR 16 January *Group update* 81262. Last seen 22 Sept (Mark), gone by 21 Oct. (Connie). -> DA. 8 Oct ± 2 wks. ♀1119. Won the 26 Aug. power struggle, but then seems to have been gone already by 10 Oct. (Mark's notes) DA -> 18 Sept. ± 3 wks. She's been replaced by an unb. ♀. 2 February 2000. An ambush tonight in the large Blue Oak near the path ½-way to Blontwo yielded 2♂(!): 8989 and his father (not seen for well over a year), 8769. But still no ♀! 11 March 2000. Another ambush in one of the trees between the above Blue Oak and the granary netted the same 2 birds: 8769 and 8989! Piss me off! 12 March *Group update* 8769. Returned. Caught 2 Feb and 11 March; Connie saw 3 birds (2♂) as early as 21 Oct '87! ☺☺☺ Better yet: Stanback saw a bird, almost certainly this ♂, on 26 Aug '87! Hence, we'll have this bird return ~ 1 Aug. 1987. It seems unlikely he was here much earlier. 25 April 1500. Opened the new hole in the Bend tree ( ) near the granary: nothing yet, but it's in good shape. 29 April 1020. Birds still working on the hole, which is still empty. 1 May 1100. Bird in hole, but still no eggs. 4 May 1830. Still empty, but they're still working on it! 8 May 1300. Still empty! Hope they aren't pulling a fast one on us! 10 May Watched roosting tonight. I have no idea where they went, but there were definitely still 3 birds, and they all went together, wherever it was!