1978 Walter D. Koenig Melanerpes formicivorus Finch (17 April) Hastings Reservation 1137. ♀ Red#148 #180 (R1) here; but chased by a landing ♂♂ #278. Possibly ♀232 is gone and being replaced?? 1145. Something is up - a few Carricks by a ♀ sitting atop the nest tree. 1148. ♀354 in nest tree with another ♀ and ♂282 and (♂) 26-4a/#386. Now also ♂♂ab there eating an acorn. 1152. ♀180 seen well in the nest tree. ♀354 there also. The ♂♂ are essentially uninterested, except for an occasional displacement (2 seen so far, but for the most part they are being greeted and tolerated). ♀232 must be gone. 1200. ♀180 is now checking out the holes in the sycamore nest tree. 1203. One of the ♂♂ just flew over to R1 - obviously this is a replacement midway being made (and relatively quietly). 1207. ♂♂LP-LE/M ♂♂DP/#67 working stores with ♂278 in the sycamore granary. 1212. ♀354 now in the nest tree by herself checking out a hole. 1215. Both the ♂♂ are pretty much sitting here, avidly greeting any ♂♂ who come over to sit. 1225. That seems to be the story: ♂♂ are as before (with the possible exception of ♀63, who wasn't seen); ♀232 is gone, and will probably be replaced by ♀354, ♀180, or both(!) from R1 (unless others get wind of this-). Purge: ♀232. Last seen 15 Feb; being replaced on 17 April however → Disappeared about 14 April 1978. Stores: Sycamore: 100 Main Valley Oak: 418 Other: 0 20 April 1715. Watching.