1982 R.L. Murme Melanerpes formicivorus Finch 7 Feb Took a sample of about 25 acorns from a low limb in the Valley Oak grove. All appeared to be Live Oak. Replaced them with a roughly equivalent number of my own. 8 Feb Counted stores, 1400: Valley Oak 480 Misc. limbs 125 Sycamore 670 1275 TOTAL 24 Feb A quick look here, 1415, it appears to be status quo. No "breeding" ♀ hose yet, anyway. In a quick watch, I spotted ♂63, ♂66, ♂282, ♂540, ♀541, ♀543, ♀614, ♂616. Only ♂501, ♂542, ♂613 not seen, but I'm sure one or more of them are still around. 29 March Counted stores, 1650: Valley Oak 665 Misc. limbs 80 Sycamore 455 1200 TOTAL Many birds (~10) were in the sycamore as I drove up, all Karriting (also saw a bit of aggression, I do believe), making me believe that the long-awaited power struggle was finally in progress here. However, everybody flew off toward the Flycatching Black-Yellow/Mauve Valley Oak, and the only bird I DID did was ♀541 16 April Uh-oh! At 1550, I find a ♂ looking out (and sitting tight) in the 1980 nest hole. No need to panic yet, but it will require some worry + further checking