1981 R.L. Mumme Melanerpes formicivorus Plague 2 April Start watch 1500. 2 birds in the sap tree on Adobe Hill, and an Orange crowned warbler sapsucking. Doesn't look like these guys will be nesting soon. ♂476 was alone in the sap tree for quite some time, with ♂521 in the grany, and one or both ♀♀ off toward Buckeye. ♂476 would certainly be more concerned if they were about to nest. I'll watch here again in a couple days. 5 April Watching from Adobe Hill 0715. Birds in Blue Oak, saw a ♂ giving mild chase to another bird. I then saw the "intruder" fly in one step all the way to school hill field, 0820, a ♀NB intruder lurking about. Once again, ♂476 showing no interest in ♀494. ♂ was in the sap tree alone once, ♀ off elsewhere. Nobody seen in holes or at holes, but lots of activity at the Cabin Blue Oak and Big Blue Oak. End 0950. 9 April Watching here 1615. Wow, at 1650, a copulation! ♂476 was alone in the 2° tree, and [illegible] the 3 others were in the grany. ♂473 flew to ♀496, she briefly mounted him, then he solidly mounted her for 4-5 seconds, tail twist, good cloacal contact. This occurred on their favorite Cornicatorium horizontal branch in the 2° grany (N side of tree, 3/5 up). While ♂473 was copulating with ♀496, ♂521 flew over, and gave his (dominant) father a small peck. At the same time, ♂478 dismounted, and the birds flew off. Not unlike last year, even though ♂521 fathered ♀496's only offspring. Also some evidence of ♀ following by ♂473, so I'll watch again tomorrow.