1978 Walter D. Koenig Melanerpes formicivorus Road 1 Hastings Reservation 1 January ♀354 (plus most likely others) seen in adjacent Robertson Canyon/ Poison Oak Ridge. See general M. formicivorus notes. 4 February Collected a sample of 55 acorns out of the Sycamore. 7 February 1500. This may be futile, but here I am watching during a respite of this morning's storm. 1520. ♂♂ub here, at ease and apparently not an intruder. 1524. ♂♀ M/Or/? #409. ♂♀ Y(W)#354. 1530. Rain has started again. 1534. Several birds in trees above the hide inc. ♀354, ♂♀ Or-Lg/DG #69 and ♂♀ /DB-wN(n) #295. 1555. 2 birds: ♂♂wn-Or/DG #222 (DB WS seen possibly as WS) and ♂♂ Wn/DG #183 (wing-streamer lost). 1600. ♂♀ M/DG-Or? #408. ♂♂ub in Main tree now also 1600. Several more in granary as rain starts again: ♂♀ R-W/LP #180, ♂♀ M/Red-Lgt? #293, ♂♂ DG-Lgt/M #406, 1608. Eating acorn in the road sycamore. ♂♂ Or/DG- #294. 1630. Amazing. Remarkably good watch, especially considering the weather. ♂♂407, the only one missed, could certainly be here. Otherwise all were seen well with the exceptions of ♂♂183, who was seen only poorly. 1640. ♂♂183 (Maure/Blk) now WS) seen well. 1700. Leaving. I've now seen everybody at least twice, and it would not surprise me if ♂♂407 were indeed gone. Birds have been sitting around and eating acorns. 19 February A shocker! The nest tree (sycamore storage tree) has succumbed! I searched around, but found no sign of any casualties, other than the acorns and nest holes. This has happened since 15 Feb.