1981 R.C. Mumme Melanerpes formicivorus Black Oak (Bianca) (6 Feb) 1520, 2 NB♀, 1 NBO♂ together in the Bianca Knoll area. All obviously quite friendly. The ♂ explore the old Bianca granary a bit. 1610, Start watch at BO granary. ♂546 (Green / DBlue) and ♂624 in ♂ plumage (!) show up in the 2° granary area along with other birds 7 Feb I try to watch here, without much success. I do get a good look at ♂545 (LBlue/Metal) and ♂624 and another fleeting glimpse at something that might have been ♂544 (light/oak-light), but not positive. Watch cut short at 1530 by the startling discovery of a new group, sun of Black Oak! 7 April Walking by 1400. As usual lots of weirdness at Bianca ♀NB ♂545 (LBlue/M) ♂624 etc/etc on the BD side of Bianca ravine. Lots of activity drumming waltas, on the Bianca Knoll. 1430 ♂497 metal/Blt and a bunch of other fly back to Black Oak. Still some birds on the Knoll, probably unhabited. 1440, 2♂NB, a 4 NB waltaring together in the bianca area. Maybe somebody really is trying to move in here. All 3 together on a branch, ♂NB open-wing waltar, with crouch + tailraise, one ♂NB pecked at the other. 1450. I walk over to the main granary area, and I flash 4 birds that fly as a very tight pack of 4 East. Neat! Could the 4 be the breeding ♂, ♂321, ♂102, ♂426? Definitely, suggests that eggs are on the way, soon! 27 April Well maybe not so soon after all. After finding nothing