1985 Walter Koenig Melanerpes formicivorus Fanny Arnold HNHR 11 January 1300. Counted stores: 943, scattered among 5 trees here. I'd give their total capacity at 1100, and probably growing. 23 January *Group Update* 8797. Last seen 19 Feb 1985 (Philip?), gone by 3 May → DA → 26 March ± 1 month. 22 February 1250. ①♂ or-wh #835 seen in trees between Fanny Arnold & Arnold I. At least 1 other bird here also. They're here eating Valley Oak catkins, which are well out already! Also here: ②♂ BIK/M #1023; ③♀ or/Bik-wh #834; I think at least a 4th bird. The baby (①1023) managed to pull out a Valley Oak acorn that was somehow still in one of the trees. Mostly they are here for the catkins, however. This tree is definitely the farthest along up here, and even here there are only a few oaks flowering. 5 March 1345. Several birds in the "open" area above here again! One is ♂ wn-or/or ?? 1348. ③♂ BIK/M #1023, In same trees as on 22 Feb. ④♀ wh-DB/M #834. 17 April 1730. Finally found the nest here - a new hole very high in the same tree as last year (near, but worse, than a hole Ron opened up here a few years ago). They have 3 eggs, 2 of which looked clean and fresh, one of which was dirty (marked #1). 15 May Banded the 2 babies here as #1249 & 1250. They are (empirically) between 18 and 22 days old, but they are a tad young, so I'd say they're ~19 days old. 21 May There are stores remaining here, somehow! 9 June *Group Update* 7796. Last seen 23 December, gone by 28 Feb. →