1988 Walter D Koenig Melanerpes formicivorus Murf HNHR 12 March *Camp Update* Connie reports a 2nd ♀ here, but not sure who she is or what's up. Well, we're pretty sure it's ♀1143, ♀1144's sister. She was first seen there by Connie on 10 Dec., and was seen on 11 March '88. She was not seen by Connie on 9 Oct or 18 Nov. → Moved here 29 Nov ± 2 wks. 5 April 1500. With 8 eggs, I'm trying to catch a ♀ here for a temporary removal. Ambusher is set up and I'm watching from the blind. 1630. Caught ♂967! Taking him home. 1900. Well, several ♂♂ came to the hole at dusk, and I even went in, but it would appear as though nobody stayed there. Hence, the nest goes empty tonight. I think this means that I will hold ♂967 1 more day - hopefully long enough for everyone here to realize he's gone, but with luck not so long that the nest fails - and let him go on in the afternoon of 7 April. 6 April 1245. None in the hole, but I climbed it and all 8 eggs are fine. They seemed warm, though not "freshly" warm as though someone had been in the hole up to a few minutes earlier. One of the 8 eggs is infertile, but the other 7 are opaque. Jane will watch roosting here tonight; the experiment continues as per the above plans. (♂967 is fine). 1450. Bird in hole! Birds are still incubating.