1984 R.L. Mumme Melanerpes formicivorus Plaque 3 March 1200, A second bird has briefly joined the lonely ♂521. After hearing wakas Beth and E find ♂521 plus a ♀ whose bands I read as or-wht/M, which is not easy to reconcile with anybody. Most likely candidate may be 752 <Blue /L6n-LBlue L6n-LBlue/M of PO Hill #2, banded as nestling 1-82 and not followed since. Anyway, ♂521 chased this bird around about 1 hr, but chasing was not particularly enthusiastic, only intermittent. Finally, the mystery ♀ flew off toward Still + PO Hill ~1315. By 1435, still very quiet, no action. 4 March So far today, I've heard very little activity here, and no evidence of a second bird. 9 March UNTIL 1600-1730, after a tough struggle I manage to (almost) confirm that there is a new ♀ here, and it is (almost certainly) ♀752 L6n-LBlue/M, banded as a 1982 nestling at PO Hill #2. Still would like a few more + better looks, because the LBlue on the split bands is exceedingly pale. Anyway, she and ♂521 seemed very cozy today: No sign of aggression between the two, and several times they were perched close together. Only a few wakas, however. ** GROUP UPDATE ① ♀494 disappeared 28 June 1983 ± 1 week Present 17 June missing 8 July ② ♀496 disappeared 30 Dec 1983 ± 2 weeks Present 14 Dec, gone 15 Jan, following aggression from ♂521 on 14 Dec. ③ ♂660 returned to Plaque 1 Sept 1983 ± 1 month