1976 Walter D. Koenig 4 Melanerpes formicivorus Bianca (7 May) Hastings Reservation 945. (20°R)W in Blue Oak storage tree in the gulch: 3 8ub here also. 950. Birds appear to be eating oak flowers and doing some barke gleaning. 1010. 7 birds now in perch tree downslope from main area, including ♂140 and (4)PRR#251. ♂140 crawling up small dead snag in a good display of bark gleaning. No flycatching as yet despite warm conditions 1020. There seem to be ≥7 normally-pigmented birds, for a group total of ≥8. All just sitting at the moment. 1023. First flycatch flight seen. 1030. A quick frenzy, involving the roost hole high in the Black Oak next to the storage tree: Ms. B. kept was at the lip, repeatedly trying to dip inside, but at least 2 other birds flanked him and began to peck at him rather viciously, ultimately forcing him away, but then continuing to harass him for a minute longer from tree to tree. I don't know whether this means they have a nest there, don't have a nest there, just don't like Bianca's suggestion for a nest, or what- 1040. More "intra-group" fighting going on - now ♀251 apparently getting beat up on. Is all this some sort of show of dominance related to imminent reproduction/nest hole selection? 1045. Another bird just went to and briefly in the hole up in the Black Oak. That could be it, fans. 1105. Birds are in storage/nest tree and Black Oak 251 is investigating the same hole in the Black Oak. 1115. Going.