1980 Walter D. Koenig Melanerpes formicivorus Finch Hastings Reservation 8 January Purge: j502. Last seen 22 August (by Ron Munne); gone by about 17 September → Disappeared about 4 Sept. ± 2 weeks. 20 January 1130. 8501 up at Valhalla by himself. See Valhalla notes. 9 February 1130. Watching; my 2nd yr captive ♀ is up in a cage in the Valley Oak granary. 1207. ①♂ DP&P #66 here looking the captive over. ②♀ Pur/brtg #293 over in the sycamore nest tree. ③♂ tan-Red/T-R #282 there also. 1211. 866 back in Valley Oak, but well away from the captive now. 1246. 8293 now suddenly upset. karrit-cutting near the captive. 8282 here, also ④♂ Yel/M #501. 8293's calling attracted the other birds, at least temporarily. 1250. Birds have all left from the Valley Oak now. Even 8293, though more interested than anyone else, isn't very worried, apparently. The birds are working stores over in the Sycamore nest tree. 1300. Leaving. 8293 certainly showed the most interest, but none really got excited here. 23 February 1230. Counted stores: Valley Oak 1256 Main Sycamore 486 Other : 456 } 2198. Also flushed 866 plus 2-3 others from the area. 14 March 1100. Watching. 1112. ①♀ Red/LG #500 sitting atop Sycamore nest tree. ②♂ Red/br-wh #66 in VO granary. ③♀ M/or-LG #293. ④♂ la-Bk/LG-Bk #63, ⑤♂ M/Rod-Tan #282 1140. ⑥♂ Yel/M #501. 1200. Leaving. All here except for 8499, who is most likely gone. Others hanging out together and eating lots of acorns.