1981 R.L. Munne Melanerpes formicivorus 1800 Hastings Reservation 11 April Start 1225 as Walter, Steve & Natalie Emmer, & F walked up, a bird was at the nest hole. 1240, ♂476 shows up alone. I suspect either these guys aren't ready to nest, or they already have one. Very little action here. End 1345. 20 April Start 1625. 1655, Nothing! Birds originally over toward 1500 metal/Bk-Red then walked down by Big Creek. end, ♂564 seen, but that's all. Later, birds on 5ft below 5ft trees! 22 April Start 1530. Again, little action 1550, ♂193, ♂347 ♂476 show up, and [illegible] 9/193, along with ♂564, actually sapsuckers from the live oak beneath me at the watching spot. ♂193 flew off toward the 2° grove after awhile, ♂476 followed, ♂347 did not. Suspect that they aren't ready yet. No interest in the usual nest hole. 1630, ♂562 sapsucking too. End watch. 26 April Start 1430. Both ♂♂ now seen to be following the ♀ in earnest. By 1640, though, I've still yet to see anybody take a peek at the nest hole. 13 birds flew off couple of times toward trees. Going to look there. 27 April Start 0830, watching from Pearson field. Earlier while watching at 1500, I saw several birds going in and out of the hole in the short broken stub on the S side of the tree. Hole faces Big Creek. 0930, Not getting anything done, Can't read bands from here. No more interest seen in that hole. Doesn't look really serious yet, but I should watch here tomorrow afternoon. Looks like ♂♂ are still following ♀♀. 28 April Start 1600 from usual spot above the grove.)