1992 R.C. Mumme Melanerpes formicivorus Fanny Arnold 11 May On 8 May I saw a ♀ looking out of a high, N-facing hole in the combination roost tree - partial granary Valley Oak near the fence line. Today at 1500 I struggle up to the hole, open it, and find 4 eggs, far along in incubation (~8-10 days), one of which had appeared slightly pipped. At any rate, 4 eggs is a pretty miserable clutch for a group where I expected 2♀ to nest. 2 points: ① One egg was a runt (see NB for details), so perhaps it was 2♀. ② Since this group of UB birds all moved in together perhaps it was a family that had lost its granary and opted to take over F/t. If this is true, one of the 2♀UB could be a helper. This is not at all unlikely. But we certainly won't learn anything more until I get these devils banded. 22 May Strolling by at 1340, the nest seems to be active still. Saw a ♀NB feed + fly at the nest, then go to a Valley Oak to sapsuck. The birds here may nest successfully in spite of the lack of acorns, 3 June Banded 2 extremely healthy nestlings here, now juvs. #796 & 797, despite the fact that Fanny Arnold is totally out of acorns. 12 June A baby looking out of the nest hole, 1330 27 June A brief look here 0900: Both Juvs 796 OBlue-Yel/CBlue-Yellow and 797 white/OBlue-Ard alive + well here, being fed by 2 ♀NB and a ♂NB.