2002 2003 Walter Koeing Melanerpes formicivorus Gate HNHR 22 August No stores here, best I can tell. 2003 19 March 1545. Lindsay thought they might have something here, so I climbed up to the usual hole, cut another block out, and checked: empty, but in good shape. Meanwhile, in the hole above it, was the long dead remains of a bird: [illegible] / 1142-37639 Not sure what killed him, it's possible he got stuck but I hope not. In any case, I pulled it out. 8 April 1000. Checked the lower hole (#263) again: still nothing, although they are quite interested so something may be up. I also opened the old hole above #263, where it's kind of damp and a starling has brought in a couple of sticks already, 11 April 1200. Turns out I was checking the wrong hole! They're in a new one, higher up on the old limb closer to the gate. It's now tagged #5554. They have 3 babies, ~5 do, +1 unhatched & undeveloped eggs (25.4 x 19.3). 26 April 900. Banded the 3 kids. Stores? You bet. 22 May 1200. Checked old hole (tag 263): 6 fresh eggs. Possibly still laying. Meanwhile, there was a starling nest in the hole just above it with eeggs, which I cleared out & cleaned up. 18 June 1100. Banded the 5 kids in the 2nd nest here. Acorn? Oh yes.