1978 Walter D. Koenig Melanerpes formicivorus Pump Hastings Reservation 12 March Things don't look good here. In passing by at 1700, several jays and a Brown Towhee were investigating the stores entirely unmolested, and I was unable to see any sign of woodpeckers. Furthermore, almost all of the peanuts already had been pecked at, indicating considerable jay marauding and possibly little or no woodpecker defense. Ergo, the group may have given up. 13 March 1030. One or the other of the banded ♀♂ was in the sycamore perch tree. There may be hope yet. 1630. Added 65 acorns. All else had already been eaten and/or pilfered. 14 March 1325. ! ♀ LB#432 and a ♂ in the granary! Looks good! 15 March 1200. Added another 40 acorns to the already demolished stores. I tried to put them in areas that the jays will have a harder time getting to. 1800. Obviously this isn't working: all stores have already (!) been eaten or pilfered from the granary! 18 March 1600. Put in 100 peanuts. 19 March With 2 birds here this morning, I added another 80 peanuts to the already dwindling stores. 24 March 1630. Despite the losing battle, I added 70 more peanuts here. I did not see either of the banded birds around, but an unbanded ♂ was by the Pump probing around inside the canopy. Within minutes there is a Scrub Jay (already with a peanut) and 2 Brown Towhees in the area. 25 March 1540. 23 Y birds in the granary here. Looks very bad for the group here.