1981 R.L. Mumme 4 Melanerpes formicivorus Hay Blom (22 Aug) at all on 19 Aug, and I certainly haven't seen him yet today. Confusion was because of a lot of intruders, including ♂SOI yellow/m LGrn/Yellow of Finch, of all birds. Plus a JUV NB's that seemed to be molting into ♀ plumage, and perhaps a ♂NB as well. I may have seen ♀604 give J711 a little chase in the granary, but with so much confusion with all the intruders, I couldn't be sure. Today, the birds were not hanging out continuously by the Sap tree + hog wire fence, but were moving all over the territory, and even visiting the granary a good bit. Lots of green acorn harvesting from the Blue Oaks at the edge of the field. 20 Sept Watching here 0930. Bill Carner reported a NB bird here a few days ago. Checking it out. 1110, Well, a few noteworthy things. (1) I thought I saw ♀523 in the granary right after I started watching, but now after a couple of hours, I haven't seen her for sure. ♀604, ♂173, and J711 seen well with certainty several times. Is ♀523 gone? Dead, or moved back to Low Hay? Or school Hill even? (2) The birds are excavating (removing wood chips, anyway) from the hole above the 1981 falled 1st nest hole. Do they have a full nest in mind, or is this being cleared up for roosting. Worth keeping an eye on, both for fall + next spring. 1220, over at Low Hay, it looks like ♀523 is here! See Low Hay notes 5 Oct Granary census here, 0800-1000, on beck. A lot of storage activity early, but little later on. Mostly Blue Oak acorns I think, gathered from area toward + beyond the 1981 1st nest tree. ♂173, ♀604, J711 all here. No interest in any holes.