1981 Walter D. Koenig Melanerpes formicivorus Gate Hastings Reservation 16 January 1100. Counted stores here, finding a solid 860 plus they've filled the '80 nest hole with acorns (est. ~125) → 985* total. [illegible] Doing well here. I didn't take any stores, however. I did see 4 birds together at the top of the tree when I arrived. *see 20 Jan, below. 20 January 1500. Climbed up and got a sample of 50 acorns from the '80 nest hole, which is indeed stuffed with acorns—more than I'd estimated above. I'd now give them a good 200 in that hole (as well as ~50 in the hole above it) for a total of 1110 stores. *see 11 April, below 8 April 930 Counted stores: 730. Doing very well for themselves! 10 April Ron reports these birds still harvesting acorns from a Live Oak over by the gate. No wonder their stores are doing so well! 11 April 1700. When we arrived a 3 was looking out of the hole; he eventually flew out at which point we watched all 3 adults (presumably) flying around together—over to the gate (where Ron saw them harvesting acorns) and back. Finally I went up to the hole and tried to look in with the peeper, but was unable to get a sure fix on the bottom. I did check last year's hole, however, and it is still filled with acorns, so give this group an additional 200 stores for a total of 930. 12 April 1700. After Ron had seen birds looking out of the hole again today I went up and opened the hole—a neat job done from the back. There was nothing in it. 14 April 1645. Checked the nest, but nothing yet.