1977 Walter D. Koenig Melanerpes formicivorus Arnold 1 Hastings Reservation 25 January 1445. 1 ub♀ seen as I walked over to count stores: 3135. Took 50 acorns. 26 February 1120. Watching from hide. A ♂ sitting in granary hiding his bands. 1155. ⚫♀ub6 here with 2nd girl. Hawking. 1210. ⚫♂R/M#199 eating acorn here. 1300. Leaving. Not much besides these 2 birds here. 11 March 1100. Counted stores: 2820 21 March 1245. Watching. 1305. ⚫♀ub6 chased Brown Towhee out of the granary. A ♂ herala. 1313. ⚫♂ Red/M #199 here. 1340. There were 3 birds together briefly nearby. 1355. 4 birds are here- ⚫♀ub in the granary and 3 in the rear- by perch tree. 2 of these, at least, were ⚫♂, bands being ⚫♂ M/Dark #266 and ⚫♂ White/LBlue, presumably #267. All then flew away east after several minutes. This then pretty much only leaves the 2nd ub♀ in question. 1455. ⚫♂ yell/Blu #266 for sure. My distinct impression is that though these 4 birds are still here (and who knows, maybe even the other ♀ too) only ⚫♂199 and the one ub♀ are paying really close attention to the area. 13 April 1025. Bird in hole in main granary. 1530. Counted stores: 2357 19 April 900. Bird in hole again. Better check here soon. 1630. Opened hole- but unfortunately did not bring the saws and therefore was not able to get everything, but there are at least 4, and probably 5 eggs here (I marked 3, of which one was a runt). The season is on!