1983 R.C. Mumme Melanerpes formicivorus Black Oak 17Jan ** GROUP UPDATE ** ① ♀320 disappeared 3 May 1982 ± 2 weeks Last seen 18 April, missing in nestwatch 18 May certainly gone by 18 Aug ② J740 NSA B 820526 ③ J828 disappeared 12 Sept 1982 ± 1 month Last seen 18 Aug, gone 7 Oct 29April Walking by 1245, I flush a bird out of the 'usual' nasty hole in the Valley Oak next to the granary, Guess they may have a nest 16 May Philip reports considerable interest in the "Poison Oak" Hole (81 + 82 second nests), but no sign of 9427, and only 7741 going into the hole. Very strange. Also, very quick visits by all birds, so I'm not sure if they have a nest (Philip saw no food in bills). 23may Big doings here: Watching from blind, 1400, I learn ① At least 2 new ♀♀ here: 9680 m / Blue and ♀505 (!) wnt/CPink from A1! 9505 is especially neat, because she is a widowed ♀ (from death of ♂100, see Susane notes) and apparently decided to leave A1, presumably because all the ♂ helpers there have prevented replacement ♀505 is being tightly guarded by at least 3 ♂ (I think ♂102, ♂426, ♂691 (!)) and ♀680 appears to be being guarded by ♂321 (again, not positive). Both ♀♀, but ♀680 in particular* are checking out the PO Hole. ♂497 also seems to be involved in guarding but I'm not sure how at the moment. Clearly, BO needs no work