1976 Walter D. Koenig Melanerpes formicivorus MacRoberts Hastings Reservation (10 October) took off, first flying to the large ValleyOak North of the storage free on Blokquist's and then continuing north from there into unexplored territory. Maybe nobody lives here after all and these birds are merely checking the place out? 15 October Florence watched here, seeing the 2 unbanded birds and ♀176 (from Hay Blom); see her notes. 19 October 830. 3 birds flushed from near the granary to the N perch tree; one possibly was "unacceptable" as a lot of karrit-cutting commenced when all 3 were in the same tree. 26 October 1430. Counted stores: 36. Not much, but definitely something. Apparently the 2 birds are still here, but taking a tough time of it. 27 October Florence watched for 1½ hrs this morning, seeing none. 4 November Florence reports 4 birds seen here today. 9 November 1530. ♂ub in granary. 1540. ♀ub now here working stores. 1545. ♀ub still here preening. 1546. A bout of wakas by the ♀ preceded the arrival of 1, then a 2nd ub ♂. One of these ♂ was clearly both dominant and rather intolerant of the 2nd, and for the next 2 minutes walked after the first, pecking him maliciously and even jumping on his back to peck him while the latter bird persistently assumed a submissive posture and tried, unsuccessfully, to keep ahead of the attacker. The ♀ left and had nothing to do with this at all. After the 2 minutes, both sat up near the top for a few seconds before the dominant bird flew down, perhaps to greet the ♀. A minute or so later, the ♀ flew up to the top