1989 Walter D. Koenig Melanerpes formicivorus Haystack-Blonquist HNHR 3 May Watched for a nest here, 845-930. Birds were mostly up on the Hastings side, flycatching and chasing intruders. No obvious sign of a nest found, however. 12 May 945. Found an 1600 helper ♀ dead at the base of the granary here. 1600. Watching from blind. ♂♂ or 1083. 1040. No mate-guarding by ♂1083, who's been up by himself in the granary most of the time. Not much hint of a nest either, unfortunately. 1105. Found it. It's back in the forest; ♀ flushed, no sound so I assume they got eggs. 13 May 1600. Opened the new hole: 4 opaque, incubated, warm eggs. 27 May 1200. Caught ♂1083 at the nest. Trying for #2 now. 1308. ♂1673 fed. ♂1078 had fed prior to my capture of ♂1083. 1400. Giving up for now. 29 May & 1220. Back for ♂1084. 1430. It's cool and windy and nothing's going on. I give up. 30 May 1400. And again I try. 1520. Got him! Also saw ♂1085 feed. * Note that ♂1084, a breeder feeding 15- to nestlings, had started molting already! 1 August 1730. Counted Storrs here: 1230. My guess is that they're at 1/2-1/3 capacity, which I estimate at about 3000.