1990 Walter D. Koenig Melanerpes formicivorus Upper PHF HNHR (21 May) rarely, making her hard to catch at the nest. Steve's bird is here and is 81285, a 1986 CVVerande baby; I caught him this morning for blood. Finally, The 3rd♂ is definitely 81647. Hence, this is a good group, with 4♂♀ (at least 3 breeders plus 81713) and a ♀ (note that, since we don't know who the ♀ have last year was, we don't know whether to classify 81713 as a breeder or helper). And on top of all this, this group does have stored acorns remaining in its not-insubstantial granary. So I doubt it's reasonable to assume this is simply a "bud" from LPHF à la Plague Annex; indications are that this group may have been around for some time. 22 May Mark banded the babies earlier today. 1415. Now, for what it's worth, I'm trying one last time for the ♀. 1645. Nobody fed! 3 June There are stores remaining up here. 20 June 430. A lot of effort up here for nothing so far: with 4 holes covered, I got j1819 (in the next hole). Either everyone else escaped (possibly from the other opened hole in the nut tree) or roosted elsewhere. 5 July 2030. Set up ambushes everywhere, but only 2 birds rooted- both in this year's nest hole. (I escaped when I pulled the live (!); the other was 81713, who escaped from the bag as I brought him down! Heavens! It must be time for a break!