1982 R.L. Mumme 6 Melanerpes formicivorus Dark Hollow 12 June Checked nest, 1030: Hatching! Eggs ① ② ③ +④ have hatched, and these 4 nestlings were marked with sharpie (blue) on the right leg. Eggs ⑤,⑥, + ⑦ Not yet hatched, but all were pipped slightly. No adult was in the hole when I arrived, and the eggs & young were a bit cool. I hope that's not a bad sign. 14 June 1430, 5 nestlings! 4 from 12 June remarked with Blue Sharpie or right leg The fifth (quite small and probably won't make it) was marked on the left leg. The newcomer came either from egg ⑤ or ⑥, of which there was no trace. Egg ⑦ was still unhatched (and probably won't) even though it looked well-developed One interesting thing. After checking the hole I discovered about a 50 cm gopher snake on the main limb just above the nest branch. Holy cow! No funny bulges on it, I was afraid that my scent would lead the snake right to those juicy nestlings, so I heaved it away. It landed on the ground near the "other" of the two Sister trees, and disappeared into the grass. 16 June Hole check + pre-banding of the nestlings, 1600. Still 5 nestlings, the 4 from egg ①-④ quite healthy, but the 5th nestling looks to be on the way out. Only 7 grams. Egg ⑦ did not hatch, even though it contained a well-developed embryo.