1985 Mark Stonback M. formicivorus Y Hastings Reservation 2 June 1215: Began general observations of nest/fledgling behavior. Baby pecked rotten wood (I saw chips flying. Baby cringed when bird passed overhead. I also saw a baby(?) hitch under a limb when a bird passed. Adult was working on an acorn, baby did not solicit for food. Instead adult would stop working, fly to the nearby branch where baby was exploring, search for the baby (who was investigating a smashed cavity), go inside, and feed it. This was repeated several times. Baby(s) seem very interested in a particular hole in a twisted tree on the knoll. They (it) look inside alot but don't go in (they will stick head in) 1300 A baby was probing and preening on a snag. A squirrel walked up to it. The bird moved back a few steps. The baby did not vocalize any and did not seem frightened or upset. The squirrel moved away. Soon afterward an adult flew to the snag, looked about, and left. Its windy out - baby is very fluffed out - spending alot of time preening. Sitting in sun. Lots of wing stretches. This baby has been preening for 15 min. An adult just flew to the baby and fed it, then left. Baby now exploring.