1978 Walter D. Koenig Melanerpes formicivorus Black Oak Hastings Reservation 28 May 1120. Flushed a bird out of the hole but could hear no baby noises. 1 June 1300. Opened the nest and measured the 5 babies. 5 June 820. Babies can be heard from the nest. 10 June 1015. Nobody seen here but the nest is at least still intact. 19 June 1800. Bled and banded the babies, all 5 of whom are fine, as #455 through 459. 30 June 1600. Counted stores: 239, all in central area. 4 July 800. 1 of the babies was in the hole looking out at me. 16 July 1610. 2 babies and at least 4 other birds flushed from around here; there are also stores remaining. 29 July 730. Watching. ① j yel-Blk/yel #456 in perch area. 802. ② j M?/Red?: #455 in side area. #456 there also. 810. In perch area now: ③ j Red/Lkt #427 plus a ④. 815. Now j455 flying to sap tree; ④ j or-Blk/ or #459 there. ⑤ j Lkt/or #457 there also. Adults seem to be generally further back in the woods somewhere and harder to see. 830. ⑥ Burn/ Yel #102 in the rear. 900. The birds are in part in a Black Oak just down from the storage area which already has nearly mature acorns on it! 925. Yes: ⑦ j dg-BP(n)/DG-BP(n) #458. All 5 here! 930. Leaving. The adults are around but hard enough to see to prompt me to let them wait until storage is in swing - which won't be long for this group! Counted stores: 2! They sure ran out fast! This does help explain why they're sapsucking so fervently, however. 15 October 815. Watching. There are plenty of stores here now but no immediate sign of any birds.