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440 Pages
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1982 R.L. Munne Melanerpes formicivorus Chongo 7 Jan Watching here 0930, I find ♀565 wnt/LBlue right away, but then from 0950-1020 the granary is occupied solely + uncontestedly by 2 Buckeye birds, ♂663 B1K/LBlue-Red and ♀666 B1K-Red/M, Those 2 birds sat around, eating acorns, until 1020 when ♀565 returned and started to karrit loudly and mildly chase ♀666 (but not ♂663). This commotion seemed to attract the ♂NB, who proceeded to chase ♂663 out of the granary (with some vigor). ♀565 then chased the intruder ♀ out. I saw one of the intruders fly off across the canyon toward Buckeye. 1040, ♀666 returned, chased by ♀565 but not by ♂NB, even though he was there. ** 12 Jan GROUP UPDATE ** ① ♀565 founds Chongo as adult 20 Sept 1981 ±2weeks ② ♂849 (nobod's) " " Age unknown " " " " " ♀565 last seen at 1800 1 Sept 1981; Birds + stored acorns were first seen at Chongo 19+20 Oct. 11 Feb Counted stores, 1530 650 TOTAL Doing pretty well, considering. Flushed 2 birds from the granary as I walked up. So group is still intact, presumably. Also took a sample of ~ 30 acorns (almost all live oak) and replaced them with about 30 of my own 3 April Counted stores, 1630: 410 TOTAL Not too bad. Also, walking around with Molly, we find a new roost hole. On Buckeye, 20 m above canyon, is spidly but relatively large Valley Oak 50 m upstream from Chongo. It isn't a great hole, but it could be where they've been roosting Also, a nice-looking new hole is under construction in the granary
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{ "text": "1982 R.L. Mumme\n\nMelanerpes formicivorus\n\nPlaque\n(15 April) 0626, ♀496 Looks out: A flicker (♂) is on the nest stub, drumming: 0628 ♀496 backdown\n0629 LO 0631 BD 0635 LO (starling nearby)\n♀496 in hole 0637 BD; 0639 LO;\n0619-0657. 0641, ♂461 arrives at hole, looks in, tries to enter but backs out after getting halfway in. Leaves 0642\nEgg laid 0645, ♀496 still looking out.\n0648, ♂Flicker tapping on nest stub opposite hole;\nThen on top of nest stub: ♀496 back down at 0650, despite Flicker. ♀496 Leaves 0657\n0658 Peeped into nest: An egg, of course, and does not appear to be a raut: Will open later to measure. Definitely laid by ♀496.\n0701, Back in blind, watching.\n0733 ♂Flicker back, tapping at entrance to nest (trying to widen entrance?)\n0749, ♀494, ♂521 arrive at hole, look in 5sec each, but neither enters.\n0800 ♀494 looks in again, 5 sec, flies off, without entering\n0807 \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" \" [TRANSCRIPTION_TRUNCATED_DUE_TO_LOOP]
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1982 R.L. Munne Melanerpes formicivorus Y 6 Jan Watching here, 1000. Complete census: 2 ♀ NB, ♂669 or-DBlue/MAWR + fleetingly ♀668 Blk-brn/m. At first I could find only the 2 ♀ NB, but at 1030 ♂561 Yellow-Blk/m intruded into the locusts. The 2 ♀♀ started to barrit loudly for ~1 min, and occasionally mildly supplant ♂561. All this activity brought in ♂669 (from SHILL?) who staggered ♂561 out fairly vigorously. Still actively storing Live Oak acorns, from a small tree in Big Creek 30 M SE of the barn, and apparently from near wickerhill trickle as well. Knoll set appears active as ever, ♂561, ♂564, and 1-2 ♀ (at least 1 NB) as well. 8 Jan Finally, successful ambush here: 2 Birds roosted in the newly excavated hole in the small Valley Oak along wicker hill trickle near the dump road. It was too rotten to ambush in normal fashion, so I used the pool pole technique. 2 birds flew out into the net, but one got away, but I fortunately came up with one of the ♀NB, and she became ♀714, Yellow-DBlue/DBlue-Yellow DBlue-Yellow(N)/metal 12 Jan * GROUP UPDATE * ♀854 → ♀714, Presumed banded 8 Jan 1982 25 Jan Watching, 1000. Seems to be the status quo here. ♂564 and at least 1 ♀ still hanging out on the knoll. (I saw a ♀NB here 2 days ago, in the Pump granery.) At Y, ♂402 is back lurking around: ♀714, ♀NB, both here as well. 1050, just confirmed 2 ♀NB on the knoll set. In fact, I saw a nice dominance interaction between the two. It would
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1982 R.L. Mumme Melanerpes formicivorus Knoll Set 29 Jan I must finally acknowledge the existence of this group, even though they have no granary, as far as I can tell. Also, I successfully ambushed here in the old hole in the sycamore below the Y, catching 8564 and an unbanded 9 which became 9715. 9715 seemed extremely weak when I let her go, feebly flying to a willow. She did fly out of there more strongly after a while, so I hope she'll be OK 31 Jan 1500, Alan + I saw away many of the branches that have overgrown the old Pump artificial granary branches, and install about 35 mixed Valley + Live Oak acorns. A little experiment to see if we can get the knoll birds interested in the Pump area. We also install a fallen Gate branch w/ ~50 acorns and ~ 100 usable holes, to sweeten the pot. We saw 3 birds around the Knoll and lower sycamore, so everyone should be around. 1 Feb 1420, Quick results! I walk back here and find 3 birds in the Pump granary! 9715, 8564 here for sure! Working ucorns! Moving them around! 8564 even shagged a jay out of the granary Also a third bird I saw as 9 Dpkr/m, probably 9193. She was here only briefly. 9 NB not around at the moment. 18 Feb A quick look here, 1700, I find 8564, 9715 Lgnc-DBlue/M and a bird that I thought was 9 but read as Yellow/Blackt (8561?). However, it looks like the birds are now totally ignoring the Pump granary. All the acorns were gone as of ~ 10 Feb, and I haven't seen the birds there since 1 Feb They are back to hanging around the knoll.
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1982 R.C. Mumme Melanerpes formicivorus knoll Set 27 March A quick look here, 1320. Both ♀715 and ♀716 here, seen clearly, in the willow 30m downstream from the lower Y Sycamore. No evidence of ♂564, who Alan has seen in the last week at both 1800+ here. 1550 Walking by with Alan, a veritable cornucopia of 1800 birds. ♂561, ♂562, ♂695, ♂696 all seen well. Alan also reports ♂564 and ♂601 (!), obviously on the couts at 1500. Even saw a dominance interaction! * Dominance** Pretty sure I saw ♂695 peck at ♂696 as the two birds sat in the big Blue Oak on the knoll. 30 March A stroll past at 1620, I find both ♀715 & ♀716, and ♂564 hanging around here. Earlier, at 1430, I saw the 2 ♀ in the Pump granary. As I'm writing this, however, All 3 birds are fooling around in the fallen Knoll granary. What's more, they seem to be coming up with Acorns from somewhere. Y birds seem to be contesting them for ownership of the dominant Knoll Blue Oak. Y already has control of the hole tree 30 notes NE 1 April A quick look here with Molly + Leslie, 1615. ♀715, ♀716 ♂564 all here. Lots of activity. ♂562 also seen. Lots of chasing centered at the Knoll area. It seemed once again that Y birds were contesting for the Knoll trees. I certainly saw ♂714 in the vicinity, and I also saw some other birds vigorously chased ⚪ from the Knoll back to Y. 4 April Both ♀715 + ♀716 here in passing. 14 April ♀716 LArk/Metal in the VO ¾ up Haystack trail, 0800.
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1982 R.L. Mumme Melanerpes formicivorus Hay Blom (28 June) during which time only ♂562 + ♀604 incubated. ♀711 seen near the nest, but I never saw ♂561. 12/15, I check the nest and find all 4 eggs still present. Eggs ②, ③ + ④ all appear to be developing, and probably have a good chance of hatching. Egg ① (which was actually the second egg laid), the monster, doesn't look like it will hatch. I also measured egg ④, which Walter neglected to measure (see his notes): 25.7 x 19.9. 16 July Leslie watched here yesterday and saw no feedings, so at 0950 I struggle up to check the nest. Indeed, it has FAILED; What The nest is totally empty, except for a suspicious looking pellet about 3/4 inch moist, white both on one side. Feather shafts inside longitudinal + parallel. 1/2 inch wide long, dark gray. A Gopher snake, perhaps? I'll have to ask Alan. Doesn't look like an owl pellet. Young were being fed fairly vigorously on 11 July (side Leslie), and since acorns are still present here, predation certainly is the likely cause of nest failure. Young were ~ 14-16 days old at the time of failure. I saw ♀604 intruding today at Cow Bay, so she is still with us. 22 July I described the pellet to Harry Green at Brinkley, and he seemed to think that a snake was quite likely. 24 July 0700-0830, interesting watch up here. ♂562, ♀604, ♀711 all here + obvious, but ♂561 is decidedly missing. Lots of intruders in the periphery + occasional chasing. One intruder was J787 from 1800, but another was either a ♂ or M/Red M/Dpi-It (or raw? Dp-i), who I have no good idea.
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1982 R.C. Mumme Melanerpes formicivorus Low Hay 11 Feb Granary census 1125-1325. As I walk up I find ♂669 of Y [illegible] Or-Dblue/white Metal/, intruding briefly. ♂461 near, but no obvious response. ♂669 may "know" ♀523, since she helped raise him at S Hill last year. After that, sheer dullsville. I going to move the blind here above the granary. My presence may be disturbing these birds, so I'll try next time in the blind. Only ♀524 and ♂461 seen. 18 Feb Again, granary census 1435-1635. A little better today. Perhaps the blind does help. Anyway, a complete census (♂461, ♀9523, 524, 587 all here) and a few granary defees as well). 21 Feb Another granary census, 0830-1030. This one was pretty hot defense-wise. Lots of intruders about, including ♀664 from Buckeye and ♂695 from 1800. Complete census, all 4 birds see well. A very springlike day. The "core 3" were doing a lot of friendly greeting to each other, and the ♀s were looking very "precopulatory", if that's a word. Tail raising, opening walking, flying to ♂461, etc. The granary here is beginning to let out, adding to the general spring atmosphere. Also saw ♂587 give some chatters in the presence of the breeders, but it was difficult to tell whether they were directed toward the ♂ or the ♀. 22 Feb Another granary census, 1420-1620. Pretty slow, cool cloudy, windy day. Only real high point was a flock of 8+ pigeons in the granary rutting oak buds, being vigorously chased by ♂524 (and mildly by ♂587).
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1982 R.L. Mumme 5a Melanerpes formicivorus Lower Haystack Nest Record 21 April 9523 lays 1 egg, 25.3 x 20.3 9523 thrown out by 9524 (see notes) asymmetrical air cell 22 April Opened hole, 0815; hatched ① 26.4 x 20.6 (9523? ) 2 eggs asymetrical air cell, calcium chips on shell disappeared ② 19.7 x 16.1 (9524? ) runt, yolk present. 23 April Checked hole, 0815 hatched ③ 26.1 x 21.0 (9524? ) 2 eggs fresh, plus calcium chips, air cell way off center hatched ④ 26.4 x 20.4 (9523? ) calcium chips, air cell slightly off center) 24 April Checked hole, 0615, 1 new egg hatched ⑤ 26.6 x 21.3 9524 (9524 in hole 0540-0605) air cell slightly off center Checked hole 0730 1 new egg hatched 7 May ⑥ 25.9 x 20.2 9523 (9523 in hole 0710-0715) air cell slightly off center 25 April Checked hole, 1700 hatched 7 May ⑦ 26.6 x 22.0 (9524) legg new air cell way off center, calcium chips 26 April Checked hole, 1300 hatched 8 May ⑧ 27.1 x 21.5 (9524? ) 1 new egg air cell slightly off, calcium chips 26 April 29 April Checked hole, 1245 8 eggs clutch complete 6 May 1715, Checked hole 4 babies (from eggs ①, ③ ④ +⑤) 5 had just hatched... Young still attached to membranes runt egg gone ②. Eggs ⑥, ⑦ +⑧ all have a chance 7 May 1345, Checked hole 6 babies. 2 new from ⑥+⑦ from egg 5 Egg ⑧ present, not yet hatched. 11 May ① BIK ② DBlue-yl ③ P ④ WHT ⑤ Bluing NB ⑥ Nest check 19.5 19.2 19.5 19.5 12.0g 6.0g O800 BlueLL Blue RL Blue RL Blue RL Blue Rwing no mark
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22 Feb 1982 Road 1 granary census 1055 - 1255 1055 nobody 1100 $269 ws 2° 05 nobody 10 $383 SA 10 15 $383 2° 20 nobody 25 " 30 $269 2° MA 35 $269 10 MA | $486 $580 2° 40 $383 WH $577 MA 2° 45 $383 WH, $577 2° 50 nobody 55 " 1200 nobody 05 " 10 $580 ws 2° 15 $269 1° 20 nobody 25 $577 ws 2° 30 nobody 35 " 40 " 45 " 50 $269 2° 55 nobody defense 1110 $383 Sunday 1 1135 $269 AW? 3 1213 $269 Saturday 2 1sthr 2nd Storage : $383: 1 $577: 1 $580: 1 $672: 1 24 Feb 1982 Road 1 1425 - 1625 1425 $578 2° ws 30 $269 2° 35 nobody 40 " 45 $269 ws $486 2° 50 $269 EA 2° 55 nobody 1500 " 05 $486 2° MA SA 10 $269 $579 $672 WS 2% 15 $269 $580 WH 2° WH 20 $269 2° WS 25 nobody 30 " 1535 nobody 40 " 45 " 50 " 55 $580 ws $269 ws 2° 1600 $580 $486 WH, $269 MA 2° 05 $383 SA $269 MA 2° 10 $269 $580 1° 15 $269 1° 20 nobody 25 " Storage $577 | 1 | 1 $486 | 1 $579 | 1 $672 | 1 $383 | 1 $269 | 1 defense 1610 $269 BT Pigeon ( 25 Feb 1982 Road 1 0820 - 1020 0820 nobody 25 " 30 $269 MA 1° | $383 2° 35 $269 1° 40 $269 1° 45 $269 1° 50 $269 1° | $383 ws 2° 55 $269 1° | $383 2° 0900 $269 ws 1° | 05 $269 ws 1° | 10 nobody- 15 $269 $383 1° | $486 2° 20 $269 $672 1° | $577 2° 0925 $269 $383 ws | $672 1° 30 $269 $672 | $383 ws 1° 35 $269 1° | $580 ws 2° 40 $269 1° 45 $269 1° 50 $269 1° MA 55 $579 1° WS 1000 $579 1° 05 $269 ws $383 2° 10 $269 2° 15 $269 ws 1° 20 $269 2° defense 0832 $269 Titmouse 2 | 1 0836 $269 " | 1 0946 $269 " | 1 0915 ? AW? 2 0920 $269 Titmouse 1 100 2 ? AW? 3 Storage $269 | 1
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1982 R.C. Mumme Melanerpes formicivorus Road I (30 March) either way, although it didn't appear so: 8486, 9383 9269, 8577, 9578 all seen. Also saw a bird briefly enter the 1981 nest hole, not the new one underneath it. Will have to get both of them ready. 1 April Hawkway opened up the new Black Oak hole, but it began to rain like hell before I could finish. Patched up the saw marks with DAE 2 April Watching from PO Hill, 0815. Still doesn't seem like anything serious here yet, but I am getting a suggestion that 8486 is starting (although not fully) to guard 9269. Will have to watch from a blind here, above the granary. Only once did a bird visit a hole. I think it was 8486, who looked into the 1981 hole, not the new hole 4 April Watching 0815, from blind above granary. It looks like ♀-guarding has begun! I saw 4 nice cases of 8486 following 9269. No action at the holes, but that may have been because a in Red-tailed Hawk sat in the Black Oak from 0830-0920. Also, a bit more dominance: In the 1º granary, 9383 chattered to 9269 again! Also, I saw 8580 chatter to 8577. Dom → 5 April Watching from PO Hill, 0900. 1000, Mate guarding is definitely on! 8486 followed 9269 at least 10 times, and never failed to follow. Also, about 6 points the two were within 15 m, never far apart. However, No real interest in any holes! 8486 peeked into the new hole once, but that was all. Birds were haying out a lot in the clearing 50m W of the granary. Will check there for holes. 1020, in a decaying Black Oak there is One shitty hole, but nothing promising
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{ "text": "1982 R.C. Manne\n\nMelanerpes formicivorus\n\nRoad 1\n\n9 May Checked hole, 0745, after Alan had been watching here.\nSee his notes for details. Anyway, 2 new eggs, marked\n+ measured. Hopefully it is indeed over here.\n\n10 May 2 more eggs: See nest record.\n\n11 May ... ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' [TRANSCRIPTION_TRUNCATED_DUE_TO_LOOP]
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27 Oct 1982 Road 1 Grana-y (e-sus) 0840-1040 0840 9383 WH 2° | nobody 1° 45 9383 WH, 8486, 9269, 9578 2° | 50 9383 WH 2° | 9269 2° 55 9804 WH 2° | 0900 8672 SA 2° | 05 8672 SA 9383 9578 WH 2° | 10 9804 SA 2° | 15 9804 SA 9269 SA 2° | 20 9383 1° | 25 9804 WS 2° | 9269, 9383 8672, 8580 | 8579, 9578 WS 1° 30 8580 8486 2° | 9804 8672 9383 1° 35 8486 2° | 8294 8580 1° WS 40 9578 1° | nobody 2° storage 1sthr- 2ndhr ④ | 8486 1II ; 1 ⑦ | 9578 1II ; III ⑥ | 9269 4H ; 1 ④ | 9383 1I ; 1I ⑧ | 8672 1III ; 1 ⑨ | 8579 1III ; 4H 1 ⑨ | 8294 1II ; 4H 1 ③ | 9804 1I ; 1II ⑥ | 8580 1II ; 1II ② | unk 1I ; ③5 ②3 TOTAL 58 (29/hr-) 30 Oct 1982 Road 1 1415-1615 1415 9269 WH 2° | 20 9269 WH 2° | 25 9269 8580 SA 1° | 8672 SA 2° 30 8579 SA 2° | 9269 SA 1° 35 9269 9383 1° | 8294 WH 2° 40 9269 8672 1° | 8294 8486 8579 WS 2° 45 9383 9804 8294 8579 2° WS, 8486 2° | 9269 8672 1° 3 8580 1° WS 50 9269 8672 1° | 9383 9804 8486 2° | 8294 2° WS 55 nobody 1500 9383 2° WH 05 9383 2° WH 10 8294 9383 8580 8486 WS 2° 15 8294 9383 8580 8486 2° (nothing) storage 9269 1II ; 1 9383 4H ; 1 8580 1I ; 1 8672 1II ; 1 8486 1 ; 1 8579 1I ; 1 8294 1 ; 1 9804 1 ; 1 9578 1I ; 1 ②7 13.5 / hr. 0945 9578 8672 1° | 50 8580 SA 9578 WH 8672 1° | 55 8486 8580 WH | 8294 SA 1° | 1000 8294 MA, 8486 8579 WH, 8580 1° | 05 9578 MA | 9269 8672 SA | 8579 WS all 1° 10 8579 MA | 9578 WS 8294 SA all 1° (nobody) 15 8294 SA 8486 WA 9578 WS 8579 WS all 1° 20 8294 8580 8672 SA 1° | 25 9383 WS 8486 WS | 8579 8580 SA 1° 30 8294 SA 8578 WH | 8672 9804 all 1° 35 9383 9578 8580 SA 1° | 8579 8672 WS 84 40 9578 WH 8580 1° | 8579 WS 3° defects 0848 9269 7:1+ 1 9120 9383 Au? 3 0930 9383 W. damage (| 9578 1 1526 8294 8486 9383 8580 2° WS 25 8580 9269 9383 8294 WS 2° 30 8580 WS 2° | 9383 1° 35 8486 8294 8580 9383 9804 2° WS | 40 9578 SA 8672 8486 8580 WH, 8294 2° | 9383 1°E, 45 8294 WH 1° | 9578 8486 8579 50 8294 WS 9383 WH 9269 WH 1° | 8486 8579 9578 WH 2° 55 9269 8294 WS 1° | 8672 8486 8579 WH 2° 1600 8294 WS 1° | nobody 2° | 8672 1° 05 9383 SA 9804 EA 1° | 8294 WH 2° 10 9383 WS 9804 1° | 8294 WH 2° 15 8672 9804 WS 1° | 8294 WH 2°
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29 November 1982 Road | granary Census 1055 9269 EA 2° 1100 9269 2° 05 9269| 9294 9383 WH 2° 10 nobody 15 " 20 " 25 " 30 9580 9578 9383 WH 2°/ 9486 WS 10 35 9580 9578 9269 9294 WH 2°| 9383 1° 40 9580 9578 9269 9294 WH 9579 MA 2°| 9383 1° 45 9578 9579 9294 WH 9269 9580 2° | 9383 1° 50 "" 9269 WH 9580 2°| 9804 EA 9383 1° 55 9578 9580 9269 WH 2° | [illegible] 10 nobody 1200 9578 9672 1°| 9486 9269 WH 2°, 9804 2° 05 "" | 9294 9269 WH 2° 10 9580 SA 1° | [illegible] 9383 9578 WH 2° 9804 WH 15 nobody 1° | 9383 WH 2° 20 9578 SA 1°| 9269 SA 2° 23 9579 1° SA 9578 1° SA | nobody 2° 30 nobody 1° | 9294 WH 9578 EA 2° 35 "" "" | 9294 9383 9580 WH 2° 40 9383 SA 1°| 9580 WH 2° 45 9486 9269 SA 1°| 9580 WH 2° 50 9578 WH 1° | nobody 2° 55 9578 WH 1° | "" ) Storage (all 2nd hour) ④ 9580 III ⑫ 9383 WH WH II ⑦ 9269 WH II ⑤ 9578 HH ① 9294 I ⑤ 9579 HHT ⑤ 9486 HHT defense 1245 9486 Plain Tit | 1254 9578 "") (39) 2 Dec 1405-1605 1405 9269 9383 SA 2° 10 nobody 15 " 20 9579 WH 2° 25 9486 WH 2° 30 nobody 35 " 40 9383 WH 2° 45 9383 MA 2° 50 nobody 55 9579 WH 2° 1500 "" "" 05 nobody 10 " 15 9269 9383 9578 9294 WH 2° 20 9486 WH 2° 25 9580 SA 1°| 9383 9578 SA 2° 9486 WH 2° 9269 SA 2° 30 9383 WH 1°| 9486 9269 9580 9294 WH 2° 35 9383 9580 WH 10 | 9269 9486 9294 WH 2° 40 9383 9580 1° | 9486 9294 WH 2° 9269 2° 45 [illegible] 9580 1°| 9269 WH 9294 MA 2° 50 9580 1° | 9269 9486 2° 55 "" 1° | "" 2° 1600 II | 9269 2° 05 nobody 1° | 9804 MA 2° Storage 9269 I : III 9383 II : II 9579 II 9578 II : I 9580 I 9486 I 9294 II 9672 I (8) (10) don! 9294 > 9580 chattles + pecky
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18 Feb 1982 Rd 3 Granary census 1115-1315 1115 σ537 ws | 9265 | σ184 ws 20 σ68 MA | σ654 σ184 ws | σ655 MA 25 σ184 | 9655 σ537 ws | 30 σ69 ws | 9265 6655 35 σ69 EA | 9265 | 40 σ656 ws | σ68 ws | σ655 ws | σ184 ws 45 σ656, σ184 | σ69 ws 50 σ656 9265 EA | σ68 ws 55 σ537 σ184 ws | σ655 ws 1200 σ655 ws | σ184 ws | σ654 ws 05 σ654 σ655 ws | 10 9265 ws | σ654 ws 15 σ184 MA | σ655 20 σ68 9265 MA | 25 σ68 | σ654 σ655 ws | 30 σ654 ws | σ655 MA 35 σ654 σ655 40 σ68 ws | σ537 MA | σ654,σ655,σ656 45 σ68 wh | σ184 MA | Storage σ655 σ537 | | defense 1210 σ655 Stellic Jay | 1305 σ184 "" "" σ537 "" "" dom σ184 → σ656 ) 50 σ69 wh | 9265 | σ184 ws 55 9265 wh | σ655 SA | 1300 σ537 wh | 9265 σ68 ws | σ654 ws | 05 σ537 wh | 9265 σ68 ws | σ184 MA | σ655 10 σ68 MA | σ537 | 15 σ184 wh | σ654 ws | 19 Feb 1982 Rd 3 1415-1615 1415 nobody 20 σ537 σ68 ws 25 σ537 MA | σ68 ws 9265 ws 30 σ184 ws | 9265 MA, 35 9265 ws | σ184 EA | 40 σ537 9265 MA | σ655 σ656 45 σ537 σ184 wh | σ69 MA 50 σ68 9265 ws | σ654 55 9265 σ184 σ68 ws | σ537MA|σ654 wh | 1500 9265 σ184 σ68 σ537 σ654 all ws | 05 σ68 σ537 σ655 ws 10 σ68 σ537 σ184 ws | σ655 15 σ184 MA | σ69 σ537 ws | σ655 σ654 20 σ537 σ68 ws | σ655 σ654 9265 σ184 25 σ537 MA | 9265 ws 30 σ184 σ655 ws | σ654 wh | 35 σ654 σ68 MA | σ184 ws | 9265 40 σ537 SA | σ655 σ184 MA | 45 σ537 wh | σ184 MA | 9265 50 σ537 ws | σ184 9265 ws 55 σ537 σ184 ws | 9265 1600 σ184 ws | 9265 05 σ184 ws | σ68 ws | σ654 10 σ184 ws 15 σ184 ws | σ68 Storage σ68 σ537 | | no defense
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1982 R.L.Munne Melanerpes formicivorus Road 3 (30 March) ♀265 spend several minutes (1248-1258.) excavating a new hole, just above the 1981 2nd-nest hole. See drawing on back. At present, the hole seems to be only big enough to accomodate the head of ♀265. No sign of interest in the hole overhanging the road, thank god. Ala- reported significant interest in the 1980-81 nest hole a few days ago. 2 April Watching here, 1005. Several developments: (1) ♀265 spent 5 min (1015-1020) working on the excavation figured on the back. Still just a head hole. She also entered the 1980-1981 hole and removed wood chips, so that hole must once again be considered the leading candidate. ♀265 also looked into the VO hole, and ♂654 looked at the new overhang hole. (2) ♂184 is missing! Complete census otherwise: ♂68, ♀265, ♂537, ♂654, ♂655, ♂656, ♂710 all seen very well + repeatedly. Seems like I should have seen him. (3) Assuming ♂184 is here, ♀ guarding certainly hasn't started. ♀265 was constantly in the granary, and ♂68 was around most of the time too. However, ♂68 did not escort ♀265 into the nest hole, and from 1130-1142 ♂68 worked on the new hole, too. 6 April 1235, as I drive up ♀265 is 10 of the 1980-1981 hole. She leaves 1245, then flies off toward PO Hill followed by a ♂ that I thought was ♂654! It could have been ♂68, I suppose, or it could have been an incidental follow. I should peek into the hole here later today to be sure. Incidentally, Ala watched here 4 April, seeing no trace of ♂184. 1440, Checked the hole: No eggs!
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1982 R.L. Murme Melanerpes formicivorus SOBO 9 March Shamefully, When Alan & E were up here on 27 Jan, I neglected to write notes on the partial collapse of the SOBO granary. The entire N limb fell during Dec-Jan (I would suspect around Jan 6-7, during the big storm). All that is left of the granary is the south limb, with maybe 500 storage holes maximum. Watching from the N side of the granary, from hide, 1030. Darned if there wasn't a bird in the granary, when I walked up, which I didn't see until it flushed. I count ~220 acorns from where I'm sitting. 18 April I stroll down to last year's nest to unfortunately find that the entire nest tree has collapsed. Burner! It means we're back to square 1 as far as discovering where these guys might nest. I flush 2 birds from what's left of the granary at 1300. 26 April False alarm! Not at all hopeless to find SOBO's nest. I stroll up to the granary at 1730, say hello, and I'm surprised to see a ♂ look out of the lower hole, then fly off. I manage to climb up [illegible] assisted by webbing (I don't recommend it! Very hard. Use rope ladder next time), peep in, and find 4 eggs! Yessiree. A nice little hole: Shallow and thin-walled. Should be easy to open. May 2 I checked the nest, propped it up. 4 eggs still, nearing hatching. Hole was easy to open (very thin), but difficult to put back together for that same reason. I would guess hatching in or about 4 May, and banding about 26 April. 8 May would be a good day to check for hatching
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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.
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1982 R.L. Mumme 4 Melanerpes formicivorus Bianca (4 Oct) to block it until morning, I returned at 0630 on 4 Oct to find that the ♂ (presumably) had escaped. He actually succeeded in prying off one of the nails, either late yesterday evening or this morning before I arrived. I climbed up, opened the hole, and found a death 70g ♀ NB, who had no doubt starved to death in the blocked hole. She had been dead at least 24 hrs, so I'm certain she was dead the night of 3 Oct. How long the birds had been trapped there, I don't know. The ♂ certainly had the strength to get out, but I have to wonder how healthy he is. The big question is, of course, how the hell did the two birds get trapped inside? My guess is that the piece of wood from the cut came loose (or was worked loose) and in trying to shove it out of the hole, the birds jammed it in and trapped themselves. Pretty dumb, but since the piece that trapped them was from the cut, I'd have to say that the ♀ died of unnatural causes! 11 Dec Weird stuff upon the knoll, 0930, in the "favorite" VO perch tree near LA2, lots of action. At least 5 Black Oak birds (♀8497, ♀741, ♂742, ♂743, ♂744) and some ♂+♀NB hanging out. Some LA2 birds were in the picture for a while, too. Even saw ♀741 chase somebody else. What's going on? ♂742 also chased somebody. 1030, It looks like the BO birds have been gathering acorns from a tree in S. Ruine, and they seem to have taken over the knoll. Also, there are no acorns stored in the VO just below the