1982 R.C. Mumme Melanerpes formicivorus Bianca 27 Jan walk by, 1600, it looks like hard times ahead for these birds. Only 40 acorns in the knoll tree, I did see a bird here briefly, I believe a ♀NB, so somebody is probably still around. Perhaps not for long, though. Down at main area, a limb with about 60 acorns has fallen. Allent? prop it up, so maybe 50 are still usable, plus 10 others still in a branch. Make it 100 acorns total here. Oops, a couple of other strawny Black Oak branches have a fair # of acorns. Maybe 200 more or so, so 300 total Doing better than I thought. 26 Feb Watching here, 1700. Maybe down to a pair here. I saw a ♂ + ♀, both UB, near the S edge of the copse separating BO & Bianca. ♀NB ate buds for me, too. So far, no evidence of other birds around, so perhaps the other 2 birds I saw here in the fall have split. Certainly a pair makes more sense here, given the poor garage + acorn situation. 1715, Whoops, I jumped the gun. A second ♀ around, also UB. So at least 3 birds still here. These guys are still in contention for a 2-♀ communal nest. Not at all incredible that 4th bird around as well. 9 March A quick peek at 1015, again 1 ♂, 2 ♀, all NB. Maybe a threesome here. When I first walked up, I saw what I thought was a 4th bird, but it appeared to be in the process of being mildly chased by the other 3. 10 March ** GROUP UPDATE ** ♂868 869, ♀♀ 870, 871 found Bianca (age unknown) 1 Nov 1981†First noted, w/ stored acorn, 3 Dec 1981.