1981 R.C. Munne Melanerpes formicivorus ARF, too 20 May Up here looking for these guys nest, 1530 - 1800. Believe it or not, success! After checking the usual holes, I sat down in the field and tried to watch where the birds were going. 3 times I saw birds (including a banded ♂ with an acorn bit) fly off in the general direction of ARF) and NB once I saw a ♀ (with a mouthful of insects) fly off across West Ravine. I stomped around the very over-grown ARF-ARF 2- area for about 1 hr, not finding anything except a not unreasonable looking hole in a Blue Oak 40 meters S of the road near the ARF 2 "trail head". Looking across the canyon was much easier. After standing along the road for about 5 min, I saw a woodpecker fly straight to the nest! Nest is in a NE facing hole in a Valley Oak near the very top of the idge opposite W ravine. I would suspect that they have fairly young nestlings. Interestingly, I saw a bird fly in and enter the hole at 1815, but despite my yelling "hello" right underneath the nest, it would not stick its head out! Maybe that's why we can never find the nest here. Anyway, there is still at least 1 unbanded ♀ here. 21 May Open up the nest hole at 1330. 2 nestlings, about 8 days old or so, plus a 3rd very small baby (<5g) death or near death. All 3 returned to the nest. 24 may Watching nest 24 1530. 1545, a ♂ NB shows up at nest with insects. I was stirring around when he came, and after sitting outside the hole for 10 min, he flies off without entering. 1700, Well, well, a QNB here as