1976 Walter D. Koenig Melanerpes Formicivorus Buckeye Hastings Reservation 21 May 1115. Walked by here for the first time on my way back from Chongo. The storage tree is a good-sized Valley Oak and many stores remain. Their nest is in the tree also and is occupied by 3-6 day-old babies (a guess), but unfortunately is in a very oddly placed hole which would not be worth trying to get to, I don't think. The group itself consists of at least 5 birds, probably more, including 2-3 ♀♀. I got a fair look at 2-3 of them, none of whom were banded. 14 June 1005. Heard at least 4 birds in the vicinity. Up in the storage tree was one of the newly fledged babies looking out at me from a hole other than the nest hole; after a few minutes he flew away. Thus the nest here was definitely a success, fledging at least one kid. There are still plenty of stores here as well. 4 September 1040. Watching from hide. No stores remain here. 1140. Zero. 10 October 900. Walked up here planning on watching and netting, but there were only a very few stored acorns and no evidence of much going on here, so I put up a pair of lines and left. 19 October 1015. Watching with 2 nets up. 1100. Rub in granary now looking around. 1215. Leaving. The ♀ is long gone; nobody else ever replaced her. Clearly this group is in trouble: still there are virtually no acorns stored, and nobody seems interested in starting. There are birds coming here, but clearly the "group," as such, is marginally together, if at all. Very possibly the acorn crop here is a failure again, and they have temporarily moved (since this woodland here is practically solid Bluebells this is not unlikely).