1988 WelterD Koering 2 Melanerpes formicivorus Myrf HNHR (6 April) Good news! Jane reports that a bird spent the night in the nest this evening, after 2 birds (The remaining 38?) traded off several times. Thus, The nest is still going (the birds will compensate for the missing 8) and they (the birds) presumably have figured out that 8967 is gone. This sets us up nicely for his release tomorrow. 3 April 1600. Let 8967 go with red dots on his forehead and a green left wing patch! He was thus removed almost exactly 2 days. 1605. Bird in hole. Going to check it. 1610. Still 8 eggs. 8967 back in the area, karitining. Watching. 1620. Several birds in The area now. 1629. 8966 enters hole. 1900. Very little to-do over roosting - a 3 (not 8967) came, entered, and that was it. Query: why have I still not seen a 3 come to the nest? 8 April Jane watched ~530-900, followed by Judy 900-1200. Neither appear to have seen 8967 come to the nest. 1215. I'm now here until 1500. 1300. 81338 came and took over from 8966. 1415. Still these 2 38 trading off; no 88 at all. 1450. Going to check the nest. Jane R. watching from 1500 to 1800. 1500. Babies are hatching: 2 hatchlings, 6 eggs in nest. No sign of 8967 by evening.