1981 R.L. Murra Melanerpes formicivorus Plague 12 April Start 0700. Doesn't look like nesting yet, though 0'521, ♀494, + ♂496 did visit the hole while I was watching. ♂473 moved away from ♀494 a couple of times while I was watching. At 0805, ♂521 + ♀494 were in the nest tree + ♂473 + ♀496 were around the garage trees, when ♀496 flew back to the nest tree, opening waked, with ♂473 right behind. He (♂473) crouched + tail raised next to ♀494, she moved toward him, then ♂521 flew down to join the pair. Looked a bit tense, but nothing happened. End 0900. 13 April Checked nest at 0615, empty, after seeing 2 birds in or at the hole at 0605. In light of Byron's observation yesterday of a ♀ woodpecker carrying a piece of white eggshell in the nest tree, I thought I'd better watch here some. Start watching nest hole from hide, 0630. 0820 ♀496 looks in briefly, flies off. 0835, ♂521 takes a peek as well. End 900. False alarm? I guess, as no eggs laid yet. It did look like some following was going on, so I'll watch this PM. 0906, ♀496 in hole very briefly (20 sec) Nest checked 0915. Empty, Start watch from behind labs 1430. Well, I don't think they have a nest in their immediate future. ♂473 wasn't terribly concerned about ♀494's whereabouts, but he did follow her on one occasion. One long trip over Adobe Hill gives cause for concern as well. End 1530