1983 R.C. Mumme Melanerpes formicivorus Hay Blom 17 Jan **GROUP UPDATE** ① ♂562 disappeared 7 Oct 1982 ± 2 weeks Last seen 23 Sept, clearly gone 20 Oct ② ♂571 moved here from Gazebo ~ 7 Oct 1982 Last seen Gazebo 17 Aug. First seen at Hay Blom 20 Oct. 3 March Up here with Philli 1140. All 3 birds seen well. ♀604 Red-Back/Black, ♀711 LBlue/Red and ♂571 LBlue-Black/LBlue. ♀604 + ♀711 looked very friendly together in the mistletoe tree. 1 April Watching here, 1095, seeing if these birds are showing any signs of nesting. 1100, Not really. ♂571, ♀604, ♀711 all seen well, plus a couple of intruders (spillover from Low Hay, no doubt). Did see two birds fly over + perch outside the "traditional" fence line hole probably in response to prospecting bluebirds. 1105, just as I'm leaving, 2 birds hanging around and possibly visiting one or both of last years holes. We will have to be alert here. 12 April Watching here for signs of nesting, (1045). By 1140, nothing much. But walking past again at 1220, I flush two birds out of the (ugh!) upper hole in last years nest tree. I would have much preferred them nesting elsewhere. 2 May Finally, Denise reports some interest in the "traditional" fence line hole. Fops it up at 1300, find no eggs, of course.