1979 Walter D. Koenig Melanerpes formicivorus 1500 (9 November) should still be accessible (see drawing on back). Nonetheless, the birds have lost probably ~200 holes for sure anyway at the least and probably 150 or so acorns. This is assuming they continue to use the areas that are up off the ground and accessible. 12 December 1505. Watching. ① δLB/LS #493 in Tree 1. ②♀ M/4el-WN#435. ③ 3DB&W#297. ④♂ M/B1b #492; chased a (W-br.) Nuttatch from the central storage area. 1530. All but 3298 set. Going to count stores, etc. Counted stores: Tree 1: 1230 ? 1533 Tree 2: 302 The fallen limb at tree 2 is now cleared out of acorns, and apparently has been lost to the birds as far as they're concerned. I took a sample of 30 acorns from tree 2 and 45 from tree 1 for a total sample of 75 acorns, replacing most of them with ones of my own. Back on 1 and 2 August 1974 I counted the sections which fell from tree 2 and came up with an estimated 1151 holes. The maximum number of acorns stored in that limb during the 1974-75 winter was 631 (28 Nov 74), but following the apparent loss of a few minor limbs the maximum was 455 (27 Feb. 75). The number of acorns lost between the 28 Oct. count and 12 Dec (79) count in tree 2 was 523. Thus, I estimate the birds lost 500 storage holes with the loss of this limb.