1982 R.C. Murme Melanerpes fornicivorus Dark Hollow (21 May) the two main Valley Oaks, in a dead stub pointing toward the other tree. You can climb up the stub without any trouble, but I wouldn't trust hanging on the stub (at least not for the moment). However, there is a nice strong branch directly over the stub, so we should be able to work something out. 22 May Watched here 0640-0720: All 3 birds present, still a great deal of interest in the same hole (all birds in at least once, ♂584 removing wood chips). I figured out a fairly painless way to get to the nest using only the short rope ladder. I prepped in at 0800 and found nothing yet, but all-day watches should be the norm now. 23 May Watching here 0540-0700, Still a lot of interest in the hole, but ♂584 was the only bird in for any length of time. It zipped in briefly once, and both ♀695 + ♀696 looked in, will watch again tomorrow. 24 May Watching 0545. ♀695 was in the hole looking out when I walked up, but she left immediately, 0700, we're getting there. ♀695 was in the hole twice more, but she looked out virtually the entire time she was in. ♂584 zipped in 2 times, and ♀696 looked in twice. 25 May Watching, 0550-0700. Birds zipped in about all the time, but I prepped in the hole at 0715, Still no eggs.