1978 Walter D. Koenig Melanerpes formicivorus Plaque Hastings Reservation 21 September 9157 seen up here this afternoon along with several ground squirrels in tree 2°, at least one of which was way out at the tips of the branches a good 35' up pulling off acorns and apparently just letting them drop to the ground. The birds are upset, but this beast seems to be unflustrable. 22 September 1125. j or DB/m #474 in 2° tree, once again along with a ground squirrel way out at the edge foraging for acorns. 25 September 1035.10° Lb/m #473 and 9157 here storing, etc. 27 September Watched here most of the day from the labs where I spent most of my time writing. Once again, as occurred in the fall of 1976 here, the Scrub Jays have ganged up on the 2° tree and are making trips in at an incredible rate (not as high as 2 yrs ago - probably 150-200/hr.) The birds are rather upset about it all and spent most of their time today attempting to keep them out - To a little avail, however, since there were easily 10 jays moving around the tree at any one time. Later in the afternoon I did see some storing (their granary is beginning to fill up) as they slowly gave up the hopeless task of defense. Also today I noticed that all 3 holes in the telephone pole - 2 which merely go in about 4 inches but also the top roost hole - are apparently stuffed full of acorns (the top roost hole is easily 8" deep!). Something to be checked out first hand when possible. 8 October 9157 very conspicuous; still lots of storing here. 13 October Storing has slowed down; 9157 still here.