1976 WalforD.Koenig Melanerpes fomiceivorus Plague Hastings Reservation (30 May) egg, which was opaque but not ivory and was removed. Two of the 3 looked alright; the 3rd was very thin. Evidently 6-7 young was too much for this nest. Also possible is that none of the eggs laid by the 2nd-yr. & were fertile. 4 June 1645. Debbie Cox opened nest and took out the babies for me to measure. Only 2 are left; their eyes are not quite open. 6 June 1200. All 3 birds seen here; earlier Pepper Trail also saw 283, both of whom were probably intruders. He also saw one of the resident birds eating tearing apart and apparent eating sycamore buds, which are still coming out by the creek. 1207. & in nesthole. 1210. All birds are going heavy on the acorns, flying from the nest to the storage area and immediately beginning to drill at acorns stored there. It's another rather cool day, and the usual plethora of flying gooties are notably non-existent. Checking the storage trees, I discover that the stores are indeed on their last legs - only a very few remain, mostly low in Plague tree (the low snag). 7 June 900. Looked around and was able to come up with a total of 8 stored acorns. There are probably bits stuck elsewhere, but clearly things are getting rough. 17 June 1030. ?15? in telephone pole. 18 June 1630. 2 stores found. &ub seen well in Plague tree. 19 June 1600. Banded and bled the 1 remaining bird, #306. 20 June Mark Jenkins found the adult ?245 dead beneath Plague this morning. I put her up as #191. See below.