1981 Walter D. Koenig Melanerpes formicivorus Hastings Reservation, Monterey Co. Calif. 11 January 1230. Checked over at BLOM TWO, finding no stores or sign of birds. 12 January 1240. Following a bird from the field where the lambert birds often hang out, I went over to the canyon at Arnold 3, where I identified 3 99 and 1 8', all unbanded. (My best guess is that they all come from the group up South Ravine - see map on back.) Also of interest, however, is that the shell granary across the canyon at the fenceline here at A3 actually has some stored acorns in it! 1253. Now in with some of the unbanded birds are 9 R/P #567 and 8 M/O #566 from Arnold 1. 16 February 1630. Up on the Arnold with Ron setting an ambush at LA2 and at "Son of Black Oak", the new group at the far lower edge of the Black Oak field where Ron has discovered a new group consisting of at least 4 birds (at least 3 of whom are unbanded). They've done quite a good job on the granary and have perhaps 1000 acorns stuffed in it. Quite a surprise! 9 March I wandered over to Corral Viejo Canyon and vicinity this morning, noting (1) several birds at both CVC #1 and #2, (2) a complete absence of birds or stores at the group (CVC#3?) that has the 2 large Valley Oaks in the canyon off on the HNHR side (see map on back) and (3) a similar death of life at Blomtwo. The apparent demise of CVC#3 is rather surprising since it's always seemed like a good territory and it is a fairly decent year. But possibly the loss of several key storage limbs there has been fatal....