On this Day in Ken’s Journal

Ken and Molly Hoffman were local surveyors and naturalists known for their knowledge of wild birds and plants. Ken recorded their daily observations in his journals from 1981 to 2011, quietly documenting thirty-years of naturalist history on the North Shore.

In these journal entries from September 1 through 15, 1982, Ken and Molly lived in the Poplar Lake area on the Gunflint Trail, where they often visited with neighbors Lydia Miller, Carl and Luana Brandt of Nor’Wester Lodge and other friends.

The pages of Ken’s journals are read by community members, friends and neighbors. Journal entries are read and recorded chronologically in two-year blocks, beginning with 1981 and 1982. Pictured is Betsy Bowen.

From the Pages of Ken Hoffman’s Journal – September 1 through 15, 1982

September 2, 1982, Leo Lake on the Gunflint Trail
Much rain and thunder last night. Dolly kept us up during the storm. Northwest wind and misty in the morning, but looks like it will clear. Bear at compost for the first time in quite a while. Hummmingbird at the feeder. Went to town birding. Saw a Great-Blue Heron circling high, with gulls. Many mallards in the harbor and several black ducks. Sharp-shinned Hawk hanging around and “bushwhacking.” On the rocks we saw Semipalmated Plover, Yellowlegs, Baird’s Sandpiper, Least Sandpiper, Semipalmated Sandpiper. Large numbers of gulls. Alder (?) Flycatchers with warblers, including Black-and-white, Tennessee, Nashville, Magnolia, Cape May, Yellow Rump, Blackpoll, Palm Warbler, Yellow Warbler. Pine Siskin, many Chipping Sparrows—some still streaked. Very strong northwest wind all day, but sunny in town. Arrived home at 3 pm to rain showers. Over to Myers’ salvaging green beans. Got quite a few, brought some to Lydia.

September 5, 1982, Leo Lake on the Gunflint Trail
Cloudy and threatening morning. Called my dad. Heard a couple of ambulances with sirens about midnight. Philadelphia Vireo in the yard this morning. Lydia has a hummer this morning. We don’t . . . Yes, we do. Some warblers, but they are moving quickly. Tennessee, Nashville, Parula, Magnolia, Chestnut-sided. Went to Flour Lake for water and then to R. Amans on Clearwater to tell him to try and get Pappy to extend his survey line. Red Crossbills by Jocko’s again. Are they nesting? Back home. Molly canning beans as the sun came out. By Nor’Wester campground we saw Blackpoll and Chipping Sparrow. Not as many White-throated Sparrows in compost “feeder.” Cedar trees turning brown. They also have many cones now, which the squirrels seem to love. Much color now in the understory in the woods. A few birch leaves turning yellow. Took down the hummer feeder. Northern lights.

September 6, 1982, Leo Lake on the Gunflint Trail
Cool, clear morning. Everything is white with frost. 32 degrees. Gardens flattened, except maybe the corn. Birds are active almost everywhere. Walked along Gunflint Trail and on Leo road—Tennessee Warbler, Nashville, Parula, Magnolia, Cape May, Black-throated Blue (male and female), Yellow-rumps, Black-throated Green (many), Chestnut-sided, Bay-breasted, Blackpoll, Ovenbird Also all three types of Vireos, Rose-breasted Grosbeak—a male with rose breast still
evident. Cedar Waxwings, Robins, Blue Jays, Black-backed-three-toed Woodpecker, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. Many Golden Kinglets. Warblers like to feed high in the birches—tending to give us stiff necks. Most of the afternoon we spent in preparing the garden for winter. Harvested beets, carrots, onions. Spread compost on the gardens. Started grinding stalks, etc. but did not finish. White-throated Sparrows probably somewhat disappointed at losing their “compost” feeder.

September 8, 1982, Leo Lake on the Gunflint Trail
(In Ken’s hand) A warm, cloudy morning—becoming sunny later—70 degrees and warm. A few birds this morning—Parula, Nashville Warbler, Tennessee Warbler, Bay-breasted Warbler, Blackpoll, Yellow-rump, Chestnut-sided warbler and later a Hummingbird by our petunias.
(In Molly’s hand) Worked on house chores—Ken finished the bathhouse ceiling boards and I painted the bird feeder and made kindling. Started “doing” shed work. Ken is taking good care of me as my back is bad.

September 9, 1982
(In Molly’s hand) Birds are moving and we hear them every night now. Up very early and worked on Walden West drawing. A very large flock came through the yard around 7:30am and included Yellow-bellied Flycatcher (heard and seen), Solitary Vireo, Tennessee Warbler, Nashville, Parula, Magnolia, Yellow-rump. Winter Wren by the outhouse brush pile. Ken is off to work at 8am with his Irish assistant. I worked on the shed all morning and watched warblers move through the yard: Philadelphia Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Black-and-white warbler, Chestnut-sided. Ken was home at 2:30pm and not overly enthused about his new help. In spite of long pauses and a coffee break of 1.5 hours they did finish the road traverse of the point. While making a cake I discovered I was missing vinegar. Ken got some from Beattie’s as well as a heating pad and detailed instructions from Rho and Jim on how to care for me. Warm, cloudy evening.

September 11, 1982, Leo Lake on the Gunflint Trail
(In Molly’s hand) Up with painful back at 2:30am an listening to Larry King on the radio. Warm and still moist outside. A Barred Owl was calling before dawn. A real treat for us—a Gray-cheeked Thrush in our yard—very quiet but we were able to watch it as it watched us from a dead tree trunk under the Alders. Foggy and drizzling and leaves falling from the Alders. Off to town at around 10am, just to bird. Thick fog, light rain and drizzle in Grand Marais, but birding was very exciting. We kept at it for nearly six hours and returned home, exhausted. The usual Mallards were scattered about the harbor, marina and East Bay. A few Black ducks, a Ring-neck and a half dozen Green-winged Teal in East Bay. Two, Red-breasted Mergansers in the lake and a Horned Grebe. Quite a few Ring-billed Gulls were in town—some are showing gray mantle feathers. Saw a group of Golden Plovers (6 to 8) near the Coast Guard station—wood pile area, accompanied by at least three Buff-breasted Sandpipers. Later we saw a group of six Buff-breasted Sandpipers in the same area. A Sanderling on the west harbor beach. There were many Herring Gulls everywhere. Two Mourning Doves were in the trail area. Warblers and Flycatchers (heard)—the Epidonax Flycatcher species, Wood Pewee, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Black-and-white warbler, Tennessee, Nashville, Yellow-winged, Magnolia, Cape May, Black-throated-Green, Yellow-rumped, Blackburnian, Chestnut-sided, Bay-breasted, Blackpoll, Palm Warbler, Connecticut Warbler, Yellowthroat, Wilson’s Warbler, Canada Warbler and Redstart. Also, Goldfinch, Purple Finch, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, White-crowned sparrow (the first), White-throated Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow. A single Water Pipet and two Semipalmated Plovers on the west beach of the harbor. Solitary Vireo and Red-eyed Vireo, Cedar Waxwings, Starlings, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Black-cap Chickadees, Crows, Sapsuckers, Downy Woodpecker, Swainson’s Thrush and a Merlin. Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Common Merganser, both Kinglets. At home we heard Loon, Kingfisher and ducks flying overhead, Spotted Sandpiper by Lydia’s dock. Saw about 70 species of birds today!! Bruce and Helen called—they have adopted a four- month-old boy. No name yet. Still warm and lightening in the sky tonight.

September 14, 1982, Leo Lake on the Gunflint Trail
Another dark day—northeast wind. White-crowned Sparrow in the yard—the first here. Black-throated Blue Warbler on Leo Road, Blackpoll, Bay-breast, Solitary and Red-eyed Vireo, Tennessee Warbler, Parula, Swainson’s Thrush, Winter Wren, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. Visited briefly with Lydia while it was raining lightly. In the afternoon went birding along Hungry Jack grade. Black-and-white Warbler, Chestnut-sided, Ovenbird, Wilson’s Warbler and Redstart, plus some of the others. Saw a Sharp-shinned Hawk chasing warblers. Also Palm Warbler. Ravens (12-plus) flying around the cliffs by Spen Lake. Lincoln’s Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow. Then to Bow Lake—saw two Snipe there but not much else other than a Turkey Vulture. Canada Geese flying over all day—flocks of six to 50+. Izzie has killed another rodent (the first was a vole). This seems to be a short-tailed shrew, very silky gray.

September 15, 1982, Leo Lake on the Gunflint Trail
Another cloudy, dark day. Both Kinglets, Yellow-rumped Warbler and more Canada Geese overhead. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker walking on Leo Road. Came across several flocks, but they are mostly high-up in birch trees. Brown Creeper, Solitary Vireo, Black-and-white Warbler, Tennessee, Nashville, Palm Warbler, Black-throated Green, magnolia, Chestnut-sided, Blackpoll, Ovenbird, Winter Wren, Flicker, Loon, and a young, Sharp-shinned Hawk trying to bushwhack.
Lydia still has hummingbirds. A few snowflakes and some rain showers. Rain most of the day. Some break-up after supper. Saw Scarlet Tanager by Smith’s, besides a few warblers—Magnolia, Nashville, Lincoln’s Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow along roadside. Some blue patches in the sky at sunset. Heard more geese overhead. Lydia had an “Arctic three-toed woodpecker” (Black-backed Woodpecker) on her pine and asked us if that was possible. It was actually a Northern three-toed woodpecker. Saw nine Common Mergansers in front of Smith’s.

Reader’s note: Lydia is Lydia Miller, the Hoffman’s neighbor. Bruce, is Ken’s brother.

Ken and Molly Hoffman were local surveyors and naturalists known for their knowledge of wild birds and plants. Ken recorded their daily observations in his journals from 1981 to 2011, quietly documenting thirty-years of naturalist history on the North Shore.

In these journal entries from September 1 through 15, 1981, Ken and Molly lived in the Poplar Lake area on the Gunflint Trail, where they often visited with neighbors Lydia Miller, Carl and Luana Brandt of Nor’Wester Lodge and other friends.

The pages of Ken’s journals are read by community members, friends and neighbors. Journal entries are read and recorded chronologically in two-year blocks, beginning with 1981 and 1982. Pictured is Nick Vavrichek.

From the Pages of Ken Hoffman’s Journal – September 1 through 15, 1981

September 1, 1981, Leo Lake on the Gunflint Trail
1.2 inches of rain overnight, according to Lydia. Misting in the morning with northwest winds. Filled our ran barrels easily. Went to town shopping and to the courthouse. Almost zero birds on the rocks (wind still southwest at the lake). A few warblers on the point for almost the first time this summer, including Yellow-throated. We did see a Merlin harassing crows by the light plant. The Crows seemed to be afraid of it. Most of the day in the courthouse reading “O’Brien deeds.” In the evening we bicycled up to O’Brien’s to look for pipes and pins—decided we could not help poor Herb. Cool, clear evening. Listening to “peeps.”

September 3, 1981
Cloudy and warm, after a cool evening last night. Warblers slowly drifting around—Black-and-white, Tennessee, Nashville, Parula, Magnolia, Black-throated Green, Chestnut-sided, Red-eyed Vireo and also a Rose-breasted Grosbeak. Walked to Meyers Point along the beach. Spotted Pink-spotted “Hummingbird” moth (Hawk moth), along the roadside feeding on Evening Primrose. Cloudy all day, so solar collector did not work. Cool and clear after dark.

September 4, 1981, Leo Lake on the Gunflint Trail
Partly cloudy and seasonable. Went to town surveying at Paradise Beach and went birding. Saw Semipalmated Plover behind the light plant, three Spotted Sandpipers and two Sanderlings on the point. Some warblers, including many blackpolls and our first Palm Warbler of the fall. Also, Nashville, Tennessee, Black-and-white, Magnolia, Parula, Redstart, Yellow-rumped. Very strong northwest winds. Hundreds of Mourning Cloak butterflies, especially along the shoreline. Later in the afternoon we mostly saw the same warblers, also two Water Pipits (first of the season) and two “peeps,” we let go as Semipalmated Sandpipers. Although they seemed rather brownish. Cool, clear evening. Spotted Sandpiper on Poplar shore. Found a dead Shorttail Weasel in the driveway—apparently wounded in the neck by an owl—it must have died in agony with a rock in its mouth and its body curled.

September 5, 1981, Leo Lake on the Gunflint Trail
Our first frost—though a light one. “Peeps” and “heeps” in the air at dawn. Doing laundry and cleaning off chicken bones from Trail Center for dog scraps. Garden not hurt by frost—just a little scorched. Mourning Cloak butterflies, White and Red Admiral butterflies. Purple Finch in the yard. White-throated Sparrow singing briefly, early. Spotted-sandpiper by Lydia’s dock. A visit from Justine and later the Cleavers, asking about a survey on Birch Lake. We went there
and looked for a few corners and visited them briefly. We were impressed with the “cuteness” of their neighbors’ fat, little dog.

September 7, 1981
Northwest winds with dark clouds and rain showers. Very few birds around. Black-throated Green, Red-eyed Vireo, Nashville, Chipping Sparrows, Flickers, Hummingbirds at Lydia’s feeder, Swainson’s Thrush, White-throated Sparrow. Went to Bow Lake, but nothing there—Goldeneye at Spen Lake. Spiny puffballs emerging along Hungry Jack grade. Visited Lydia and got water.

September 8, 1981, Leo Lake on the Gunflint Trail
Off to Greenwood surveying after Labor Day vacation. Got a sunshot between fast-moving clouds. Cool with string northwest breezes. Then we went to town for lunch and birding. Quite a few birds (at least more than usual lately). First Golden Plover of the season, first Pintail ever!! (in Cook County). #197. It was a female in the puddles behind the breakwater rocks. March Hawk—(first of the year), along the shore. Merlin, Pipit flock, Sharp-shinned hawks, Spotted Sandpiper, Palm Warblers and Yellow-rumps at the Tourist Park. Cormorant flying over the harbor. Maybe the last day for Lydia’s hummingbirds, as they did not come in the evening. Clear evening.

September 9, 1981
Some warblers around home—Red-eyed vireo, Solitary Vireo and Philadelphia Vireo. Nashville and Magnolia warblers. Went to Greenwood Lake again, cutting heavy brush and then went to town for lunch and birding. Quiet in the harbor but did see a Merlin and Kestral together. Merlin obviously bigger. Winter Wren and Loons on Poplar. Went to Trail Center in the evening for dinner. A warm day with southwest winds—big “surf” along the rocks by the point.

September 11, 1981 Leo Lake on the Gunflint Trail
Cloudy and warm with showers—some blue sky. Spotted Sandpiper at Lydia’s dock and nearby. Six or seven Crows. A few warblers, etc. Magnolia, Nashville, Tennessee, Solitary Vireo. Strong smoke smell in the air with northerly winds. Mostly clear by late morning. Went to the dump with Muki and Tootie. Many Ravens there but few gulls. Also went to Flour Lake for water—campground almost empty. Walked to Ollar’s pond—almost no puffballs (lack of rain?). Many ducks resting there and one Solitary Sandpiper feeding on a mud flat. Hermit Thrush by Meyers’ on the way home; tail pumping as it sat on a branch. Beautiful evening.

September 12, 1981
Strong northwest winds and very warm—77 degrees. Many birds were around early before the wind got strong. Black-throated Blue Warbler (adult male), Nashville, Blackpoll, Palm Warbler, Orange-crowned (first), Parula, Yellow-rump, Lincoln’s Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, many White-throated Sparrows, Red-eyed Vireo, Philadelphia Vireo, Solitary Vireo (singing), Kinglets. Walked to Ollar’s pond twice, and Meyer’s, but no activity. Watched Lydia’s logger fell big spruce by her garage. A few Robins arriving in the alders, and Winter Wren.

September 15, 1981, Leo Lake on the Gunflint Trail
Just a slight touch of frost on the roofs. Clear with cool, northwest breeze. Had a small fire for our company’s sake, mostly. Went to Ollar’s pond early, but no activity. F & R here for breakfast and a visit—they left about 11am. Visited Lydia and took her lawn pump in and drained it. A few birds around here—Nashville Warbler, Orange-crowned, Yellow-rump. Went to town in the afternoon birding and getting money for a trip to Duluth tomorrow. A few sprinkles around with cool, northwest breeze. Good birding around the harbor—Lapland Longspur (one), Pipits, Redstart, Widgeon (two by the marina feeding almost like Coots), Gold-wing Teal (four behind the light plant resting), first White-crowned and Fox Sparrows of the year (good dates) and our first, ever Harris Sparrow in Cook County—an immature bird near the Coast Guard building. Prairie Warbler with whiskers! (yellow, and wing bars). Merlin, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Savannah Sparrow, Palm Warbler. Also saw a couple broad-wing kettles containing 50 to 100 birds. Red-tailed Hawk, Sharp-shinned hawks, Blackpoll Warbler, Magnolia Warbler.

Reader’s note: Lydia is Lydia Miller, the Hoffman’s neighbor.

Ken and Molly Hoffman were local surveyors and naturalists known for their knowledge of wild birds and plants. Ken recorded their daily observations in his journals from 1981 to 2011, quietly documenting thirty-years of naturalist history on the North Shore.

In these journal entries from August of 1982, Ken and Molly lived in the Poplar Lake area on the Gunflint Trail, where they often visited with neighbors Lydia Miller, Carl and Luana Brandt of Nor’Wester Lodge and other friends.

The pages of Ken’s journals are read by community members, friends and neighbors. Journal entries are read and recorded chronologically in two-year blocks, beginning with 1981 and 1982. Pictured are Yafa Napadensky and Bob Shannon.

From the pages of Ken Hoffman’s journal, August 17 to August 29, 1982

August 17, 1982 Leo Lake on the Gunflint Trail
Quite a few warblers in the morning, but the flocks are still quite loose. Including a Philadelphia Vireo, Red Eyes, Tennessee, Nashville, Parula, Magnolia, Black-throated-green Warbler, Blackburnian, Bay-breasted, Waterthrush (singing). Our mysterious sound appears to be a White-throated Sparrow (eenk!) (maybe). Visited with Meyers. They are going back to Illinois next week. Also stopped to check Ted Young’s progress on the cabin (slow). Then bicycled to West Pope to see if L. Ecklund needs a survey (she doesn’t). Some warblers along the way. Sharp-shinned Hawk near Voyageurs Point on Poplar. Gordon M. brought us some beans. In the evening we ate picnic dinner with C & P, then to the dump to see bears. Beautiful evening.

August 22, 1982 Leo Lake on the Gunflint Trail
At least one inch of rain yesterday and during the night, as both rain barrels are full. Did not see an adult male Hummingbird yesterday or today. Lots—four or five—of young birds still around and active. Sun is trying to come out between dark and scudding clouds from the north. Molly is working on the bathhouse—also designing the roof over the deck. Walked down Leo Road to the end. Met Mrs. Barnabee. She says they will move up here “permanently” in about one or two years. Looking for puffballs but they were overmature. Saw and heard a Canada Warbler and Magnolia. Back home there were Blackburnian, Parulas, Tennessee Warbler. Solitary Sandpiper by Leo Swamp. Rain showers in the evening. Broad-wing calling overhead.

August 23, 1982 Leo Lake on the Gunflint Trail
To Grand Marais, mostly for Loon article research. Good numbers of shorebirds: Semipalmated Plovers, Killdeer, Semipalmated Sandpipers, Baird’s, Least Flycatcher, Rock Dove! Very few warblers anywhere this year. Back home by 2:30. After eating we went to Loon Lake to tell R. Smith we will do the survey (price not to exceed $2,000!) Found South-1/4 corner after several tries. Ulland Brothers putting gravel shoulder on the west side of the road. Bruce called this evening—will be here tomorrow.

August 27, 1982 Leo Lake on the Gunflint Trail
37 degrees at 6:30am, but ice on the car, and house roof. Gardens seem to be okay, but they have stopped doing anything anyway. Solitary Sandpiper by our pond, same as yesterday. Flickers more noticeable along the roadside. Cutting wood for porch roof. Molly made cinnamon rolls and we had Lydia over here for a visit. Visited Beatties in the afternoon.

August 28, Leo Lake on the Gunflint Trail
35 degrees but some flowers had frosted leaves, as did a few of the vegetables. Painting our lumber and after it dried began construction. Got much of it put together—frame is up as are 12 of 18 roof boards. Isadore the cat out most of day watching grasshoppers. Sharp-shinned hawk, Red-eyed Vireo with a short song. Solitary Vireo. No warblers.

August 29, 1982 Leo Lake on the Gunflint Trail
Dolly got us up about 3am when she heard an approaching thunderstorm. Not a lot of rain but it was still misting in the morning. Not a very pleasant day. Heard a Solitary Sandpiper; then saw one in the pit pond. Short walk on Leo Road—saw a Blackburnian Warbler, Bay-breasted and Red-eye Vireo. Walked to Meyers and looked at their gardens. Then went to Trail Center for bread. Still misty and cold with temps in the low 50s. Mist let up after lunch so we finished our deck roof project. Watching a young male Hummingbird—he has a few small red spots under his throat. Also watching a Boreal (?) Vole feeding on some wheat we had thrown out.

Reader’s note: Lydia is Lydia Miller, the Hoffman’s neighbor. The Beatties were originally from Colorado. Bruce is Ken’s brother. Dolly is one of the Hoffman’s dogs.

Ken and Molly Hoffman were local surveyors and naturalists known for their knowledge of wild birds and plants. Ken recorded their daily observations in his journals from 1981 to 2011, quietly documenting thirty-years of naturalist history on the North Shore.

In these journal entries from 1981, Ken and Molly lived in the Poplar Lake area on the Gunflint Trail, where they often visited with neighbors Lydia Miller, Carl and Luana Brandt of Nor’Wester Lodge and other friends.

The pages of Ken’s journals are read by community members, friends and neighbors. Journal entries are read and recorded chronologically in two-year blocks, beginning with 1981 and 1982. Pictured is Leah Thomas.

From the pages of Ken Hoffman’s journal, August 19 to August 31, 1981

August 19, 1981 Leo Lake on the Gunflint Trail
To campground at Flour Lake for breakfast with C & P. Back home and then to town shopping and birding. Not great numbers of shorebirds–but a variety. Stilt and Lesser Yellowlegs and Least Sandpiper at storm pond; on rocks Semipalmated Sandpiper and Baird’s Sandpiper. Picked up a piece of chipboard to cover compost. Many warblers at home but nothing different–Tennessee, Nashville, Parula, Magnolia, Cape May, Yellow-rump, Black-throated green, Blackburnian, Chestnut-sided, Canada warbler. Heard a Mourning Dove. Brought the survey to Windigo and got paid. Doing laundry in the backyard with solar hot water. Solitary Sandpipers overhead. Clear evening, heard Long-eared Owl.

August 20, 1981 Leo Lake on the Gunflint Trail
Warm, clear morning. Many of our resident warblers are milling around feeding. Surveying by the Hungry Jack pit. Figuring in the afternoon. Molly is washing the car and doing last of the laundry. Visiting Lydia in the evening. Long-eared Owl again. Lydia still has many hummingbirds. Wood Pewee calling by pines along Hungry Jack Road.

August 23, 1981 Leo Lake on the Gunflint Trail
Warm and hazy. Finished putting in the floor. Molly is cleaning the bathtub. A very warm day near 80 degrees and humid. Put a sealer on the floor and also finished bathtub cleaning. Put our second small (3 feet by 4 feet) deck up. Swimming in Poplar Lake–warm on the surface but cool underneath. Some birds slowing, moving through–Tennessee Warbler, Parula, Magnolia, Yellow-rumps, Black-throated Green, Blackburnian, Chestnut-sided, Wilson’s Warbler, Redstart and also Solitary and Red-eyed Vireos, Olive-sided Flycatcher. Molly talked to Justine on the road. Justine told Molly about people on Loon Lake who are banding birds. Hear a Broad Wing Hawk flying high and calling.

August 25, 1981 Leo Lake on the Gunflint Trail
Another glunky day. Off surveying anyway to Durfee Creek. Birding in Harbor but not so much as a “peep.” It rained here while we were away but we had compost uncovered and the rain collector covered. Large Waxwing flock by Durfee Creek. Much quieter in town as summer is over. Some stars in the evening.

August 26, 1981 Leo Lake on the Gunflint Trail
Partly hazy morning, but able to get solar survey observations on County Road 67 near Durfee Creek. No birds in the Harbor but saw some kind of odd albino sparrow (a Savannah?) We did not get a good look, as we only saw it flutter away across the field. It was almost pure white.
Worked from 9 until 3. Nice, clear and cool evening. Power out briefly—for 1 and a half hours—so we defrosted the refrigerator. Saw a Closed or Bottle Gentian (Bitter Root) blooming behind the light plant. Also saw a few other birds along County Road 67—Lincoln’s Sparrow, Bay-breasted Warbler, Short-billed Marsh Wren—the first we have seen. And a Chestnut-sided Warbler and Redstart. Goldfinches are busy and flocking.

August 27, 1981 Leo Lake on the Gunflint Trail
Off again to Durfee Creek via Grand Marais Harbor. Not a lot of shorebirds, but some interesting birds–Buff Breasted, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Plover and Stilt Sandpiper, Baird’s Sandpiper. Nice warm day despite strong East wind, which kicked up a good surf on Lake Superior by the afternoon. Mourning Cloaks along Highway 61, Sharp-shinned Hawk and Osprey.

August 29, 1981 Leo Lake on the Gunflint Trail
Many warblers in the yard, plus all three Vireos. Black-and-white, Tennessee, Nashville, Parula, Magnolia, Yellow-rump, Black-throated Green, Blackburnian, Chestnut-sided, Bay-breasted, Blackpoll—the first of the year, Redstart. Rose-breasted Grosbeak is “eeking” and sounds like a three-toed Woodpecker. Lydia has no more male Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. Perhaps just yearling birds? We are watching a Loon family on Poplar Lake and also other Loons. It’s fun to watch them land on their belly. Blue Jays are flocking and noisier. Lydia is having her beautiful, tall Balsams cut down. Purple Finches are no longer around, except a few at Lydia’s feeder later in the day. Carolyn, Jeff and Emily stopped to visit in the afternoon. Went for a short canoe trip and then cooked Polish sausage. Clearing by evening. Black-throated Blue and more warblers in the evening including more Blackpolls. R. Glassal called from Grand Marais asking us where to look for shorebirds. He saw a Yellow-crowned Night Heron in Duluth near Oliver Bridge. Our best warbler day this fall. Nashville singing a little and a Red-eyed Vireo.

August 31, 1981 Leo Lake on the Gunflint Trail
Fog and very heavy dew. Not many birds here—although I did hear Rose-breasted Grosbeaks “peeking.” Walked to Meyers point along Poplar Lake beach, as the lake is very low. Warbler flock on the point. Watching a young loon exercising his wings. He could also give an answering call to an adult about 1,000 feet away. Checked Ekroot’s gravel pad for level and then discussed a possible survey for H. O’Brien. Survey by L. Miller may have been in error. We shall see. Heavy rain shower in the evening, filling 1-2/3 of our cans. More rain and thunder at bedtime.

Readers notes: Lydia is Lydia Miller, the Hoffman’s neighbor.

Ken and Molly Hoffman were surveyors and naturalists who lived on the Gunflint Trail in the early 1980s. In these journal entries from August 3rd through August 16th, 1982, Ken documents day-to-day life in the north woods. Journal entries are read by Yafa Napadensky, Chel Anderson, Ellen Hawkins, Bob Shannon, Leah Thomas and Barb LaVigne.

August 3, 1982 Leo Lake on the Gunflint Trail
Cold in the morning with drizzle—72 degrees by the afternoon and continued to be humid. Hummingbirds active. Home all day working on surveys and drawings. Mowed the lawn. Lots of Chipping Sparrows along the roadsides. The County put gravel in our famous “bump.” Cleaning chicken bones in the evening.

August 5, 1982 Leo Lake on the Gunflint Trail
Went to town, mostly on business and visiting. Looked for ¼ and section corner in section 13-14. Cool with the sun mostly obscured by high fog. No shorebirds, with an east wind. Town very busy with Fisherman’s Picnic opening day. Small bird troop on Grand Marais point—Chestnut-sided Warblers, Myrtles, Yellow Warbler, Cedar Waxwings. Did laundry, went to Forest Service and courthouse.

August 7, 1982 Leo Lake on the Gunflint Trail
Partly sunny and humid—very luxuriant growth this year—like a rain forest. Some warblers, but we are not looking real close. Canada, adult and young Chestnut-sided, Waterthrush, Solitary Vireo, Parula, Red-eyed Vireo, Magnolia Warbler, Golden Kinglets. Picking blueberries near Larch Creek. Pretty good picking—we got six quarts. Rained heavily as we were leaving. Visiting Lydia in the afternoon. Did not rain here [at Leo]. Making blueberry muffins. Working on nest cards in the evening. Yellow-jackets got me at Seagull Lake.

August 8, 1982 Leo Lake on the Gunflint Trail
A squally day with northwest winds and showers. Th warbler migration appears to be underway. Magnolia, Bay-breasted, Tennessee, etc. Off to Magnetic Rock area picking blueberries in between and during rain showers. Most of the burn area was picked over, but we got about seven quarts on the ridge south of the burn. Much bird peeping. Kingbirds still there making noises—perhaps teaching young? Back home, making syrup (six quarts and 1 pint). Visiting Lydia. Brought her a pint of fresh berries. Eating the last of our peas—pulled vines.

August 10, 1982 Leo Lake on the Gunflint Trail
Went to town birding and surveying in Croftville. Many shorebirds around in the morning, with light northwest winds. Mostly Semipalmated Sandpipers and Least Sandpipers, but we correctly identified a lone Baird’s Sandpiper before seeing it in company with the Semipalmated. Also saw two Lesser Yellowlegs, a few Killdeers and one Spotted Sandpiper with down on it—it’s moulting. Saw Yellow Warblers. A Merlin was also hanging around, no doubt attracted by all the shorebirds. House Wrens scolding a cat in Croftville. Met and talked with J. Toftey and his son Rick. Blacktop crew passed us today, in the evening.

August 11, 1982 Leo Lake on the Gunflint Trail
37 degrees this morning—a few ice crystals on the dog house roof, but no damage to the plants that we can see this morning. Heading up the Trail to Loon Lake, via Novaczyk, to deliver survey. At Loon Lake we were looking for the northwest corner of section two, but no luck. In the process we got to climb via a trail to the Gunflint Cliffs. Really spectacular view! Back via Border Route trail to west end of Loon Lake. Saw a Red-backed Salamander, Black-throated green being chased by a begging and long-tailed young. Young Hermit Thrushes on their own, but together. Then to Seagull area picking berries. Went to Saganaga where we saw a Merlin eating a small
bird. Picked about three quarts of berries. Home by 4:30pm. Nice now that we can leave the dogs outside all day. Went to canoe races at Nor’wester in the evening.

August 14, 1982 Leo Lake on the Gunflint Trail
Large warbler flocks in the area. Blackburnians, Ovenbird, Parula, Black-and-white warbler, Chestnut-sided (young trying to beg from a faded adult), Waterthrush singing, Solitary Vireo singing. Hummers are very active. Broad Wing hawk screaming overhead (for benefit of its young)? An easy day visiting and gardening—doing yard work. More warblers drifting through—Magnolia, Blackburnians—young but full grown. Chipping Sparrow begging and being fed by an adult. Tennessee warbler, Black-backed-three-toed woodpecker in bog, (clicking). Lydia’s company arrived in the afternoon. We are still eating green beans.

August 15, 1982 Leo Lake on the Gunflint Trail
Birding with a California birder–B. Chelson, along Lima Road near Stickle Creek. Boreal Chickadee and Gray Jay, but no Spruce Grouse or Black-backed-three-toed woodpecker. Very quiet there—Golden-crowned Kinglets and Olive-sided Flycatcher. At home there was a warbler flock: Black-and-white, Least Flycatcher (sang a little), Tennessee Warbler, Canada Warbler, Nashville, Parula, Magnolia, Black-throated-green Warbler, Chestnut-sided, Ovenbird, Redstart. White-throated Sparrows with medium-tailed young. A Junco family. Later on Leo Road we heard Black-and-white warbler, Tennessee, Nashville, Magnolia, Black-throated-green Warbler, Blackburnian, Chestnut-sided, Wilson’s Warbler. Seeing new Comma butterflies.

August 16, 1982 Leo Lake on the Gunflint Trail
More warblers drifting around. Surveying in Croftville this morning after birding in Grand Marais. A flock of Baird’s Sandpipers—eight or more—were on the rocks. It’s unusual for us to see this many at once here. Maybe five or more Least Sandpipers. Only one Semipalmated, Spotted, Killdeer. Great Blue Herons by the powerplant. Home by 2:30. Visiting Lydia and her company. Then to Flour Lake to visit friends from Duluth. A warm day—80 degrees, with a beautiful, clear, cool evening. We watered the gardens. Heard “who’oo” in the bog at 9pm. Long-eared owl? Barred owl?

Reader’s note: Lydia is Lydia Miller, the Hoffman’s neighbor.

Ken and Molly Hoffman were surveyors and naturalists who lived on the Gunflint Trail in the early 1980s. In these journal entries from August 2nd through August 16th, 1981, Ken documents day-to-day life in the north woods. Journal entries are read by Yafa Napadensky, Chel Anderson, Ellen Hawkins, Bob Shannon, Leah Thomas and Barb LaVigne.

August 2, 1981, Leo Lake on the Gunflint Trail (In Molly’s hand)
To Grecos’ again to complete survey. Spent a long, hot mosquito-day cutting line through some interesting woods. Ken got irritated with his “Irish.” Say he can now sympathize with Thoreau when he describes his Irish survey helper. Saw three, curious otters in Little Ollie Lake. They sniffed us and swam quite close. We also could smell all their fishy droppings along the shore of Little Ollie. Saw a Black-throated Blue Warbler and small flocks of birds. also heard a Rusty Blackbird. Saw Loons and heard what may have been a Greater Yellowlegs–don’t know for sure, however. We had lunch at Greco’s, so we spent a long day there, getting back at 5:30pm.
Gardens “drooping,” need water. Heard Nighthawk and saw it zoom over our garden area. Warm and humid without wind again tonight. Ken is working on survey paperwork this evening.

August 5, 1981, Leo Lake on the Gunflint Trail
On a nice canoe trip today to Gaskin Lake via Swamp–Horseshoe–Allen and returning via Henson–Swallow—Meeds Lake. Saw a variety of ducks including Black, Goldeneye, Loons, Common Merganzer. Also an Osprey and a Great Blue Heron at its nest on Gaskin, plus 15 gulls on Meeds, including 10 adults and 5 young. Stopped by Brandts’ old cabin site on Gaskin ( a very pretty lake), for a snack break. Nothing remains except a few old boards and a large cut log with spikes in it at the waters’ edge. Had lunch on an island at Meeds where we watched and listened to gulls. Nice blueberries on the island. Gone from 7 to 4:30. We came back very tired. We wanted to go to Moon Lake on our trip, but could not find a portage.

August 7, 1981, Leo Lake on the Gunflint Trail
More light rain and breezy. Black-billed Cuckoo was dead on roadside. Skies cleared some–saw the first big warbler flock of the season–Black-and-white, Tennessee, Nashville, Parula (very young), Magnolia, Blackburnian, Bay-Breasted, Canada, Solitary Vireo, Phila Vireo (feeding a begging young), both Kinglets and a Least Flycatcher. To dump and doing Greco survey drawing.

August 9, 1981 Leo Lake on the Gunflint Trail
Large warbler flock got me up early. Black-and-white, Nashville, Parula, Magnolia, Yellow-rump, Black-Throated Green, Blackburnian, Chestnut-sided, Bay-breasted and Canada Warblers. Plus the three Vireos, two Kinglets, juvenile Junco, Purple Finch. Heavy shower about 11-o-clock. More showers for most of the day. Put about 1/2 of the floor in the bathhouse. Hummingbird at Jewelweed, Yellow-bellied Flycatchers catching a dragonfly. Solitary Sandpiper at our pit pond.

August 10, 1981 Leo Lake on the Gunflint Trail
Another cloudy, rainy morning–another large warbler flock–local residents: Black-and-white, Tennessee, Nashville, Parula, Magnolia, Cape May, Yellow Rump, Black-throated Green, Blackburnian, Chestnut-sided, Bay Breast, Canada, plus three Vireos, Chipping Sparrows, Purple Finch. Went to town shopping. Many shorebirds made for a long trip–but interesting. Many Semipalmated Sandpipers and Lesser Yellowlegs. At least one Stilt Sandpiper which we saw in two different locations. Least Sandpiper–quite a few. Also saw two “different birds,” which we concluded were Western Sandpipers. They stayed apart, same size as Semipalmated, but much browner. One had a droop on its bill, but the other did not. Why were they so much browner? Also, two Solitary Sandpipers–the first we have seen in town. Picked up our gutters for collecting rainwater. Home by 2:30. More warblers at home but nothing different. Put up some gutter support and painted collector shield. Long-Eared Owl at garden area “hooing.”

August 11, 1981 Leo Lake on the Gunflint Trail
Clear, cool morning. No birds early, two short hikes to east end of Hungry Jack Lake on bluff and bluff on west end of West Bearskin. Many gulls on Hungry Jack: 20, plus! Back home we finished plumbing on bathhouse and put gutters on the house. So now we are all set up and ready to “cook” water. Large flock of “chippies” by the garden. Also saw two deer–spike buck and doe by the new logging road past Squint Lake. Muki had a seizure on Leo Road but seems alright now. Black-throated Green family group spotted. Vince Ekroot asking about survey.

August 12, 1981 Leo Lake on the Gunflint Trail
Humid and warm again after a nice day yesterday. Hazy. Working on water collector as we had to lower the inlet pipe some. Getting water from Poplar Lake then canning one batch of peaches. Figuring Windigo survey on paper. Saw first Puffballs of the year (spiked), by the garden. A few milkweeds in bloom under the power line.

August 16, 1981 Leo Lake on the Gunflint Trail
38 degrees with clear sky. A few birds moving around–a “gray” Cape May Warbler with yellowish-green rump. Yellow-bellied Flycatchers, Black and White Warbler, Kinglets, Red-eye and Solitary Vireos. Yellow-rumps, Tennessee Warbler, Parula, Blackburnian, Bay-breasted Warbler. Hiking and blueberry picking along Magnetic Rock trail, watching more gray Cape May Warblers. Two Solitary Sandpipers at old beaver pond nearby. Home at 3pm. Got ready and went to Gunflint smorgasboard–very good!

Reader’s note: Lydia is Lydia Miller, the Hoffman’s neighbor. Muki is one of the Hoffman’s dogs.

From the pages of Ken Hoffman’s Journal, July 22 – July 31, 1982

Read by Leah Thomas, Ellen Hawkins, Chel Anderson and Barb LaVigne

July 22, 1982 Leo Lake on the Gunflint Trail
Canoeing to Gaskin via Horseshoe Lake and back via Swallow and Meeds Lake. A female Mallard with seven-half-grown young on Caribou outlet. A Goldeneye with one-half-grown young on Horseshoe. Two Turkey vultures and one Bald Eagle sighted over Gaskin Lake. Also, over Horseshoe was a pair of Ospreys–one carrying a fish. A beautiful, sunny day with only light breezes. Goldeneye female on Caribou with five-two-thirds grown young. Wild Lettuce blooming in the backyard–eight-and-a-half inches tall.

July 24, 1982 Leo Lake on the Gunflint Trail
A rainy and threatening day, preventing us from any planned outings. Mostly sitting and chatting. Walked to Trail Center in the afternoon. Still a few strawberries on the roadside and also some raspberries. Waxwings and Robins feeding on an abundant Red Elderberry crop. Heard a Black-Throated-Blue Warbler on Ollar’s pond edge. Visited Lydia in the evening. Also visited with Roy Carlson on Mayhew Lake concerning a survey.

July 26, 1982 Leo Lake on the Gunflint Trail
51 degrees and clear. There’s a small bird flock in willows and alders. Went canoeing with dad and Bette around Poplar Lake. We saw several Loons. Went for lunch at Trail Center. Saw a short-tailed Kingbird out of its nest with adults nearby. Dad and Bette heading for Trails End campground for the night. Northern lights.

July 28, 1982 Leo Lake on the Gunflint Trail
Birds very active in the yard. Adult Nashville warbler feeding a short-tailed young. Magnolia warblers Chestnut-sided and Red-eyed Vireo. Went to town with dad and Bette where I went golfing with them. Saw a Least Flycatcher. Molly went to the courthouse and out birding. She saw four Lesser Yellowlegs, Least Sandpiper and what were probably brownish looking Semipalmated Sandpipers. Also, Killdeer, a Mallard with ten very small chicks. Said goodbyes to dad and Bette after lunch at the Common Ground. Home by 2:30pm. Molly napping. We went swimming in Poplar Lake.

July 30, 1982 Leo Lake on the Gunflint Trail
Damp, muggy morning. Bear here again last night. Compost looks very wet again. To Loon Lake looking for corners all day. Black-throated Blue on the north shore of Loon Lake. Also Northern waterthrush, Ovenbird. Looking over a job at West Pope Lake on the way back. Visited Cyril in the evening. He has an Eastern Chipmunk which he can pet and pick up. Young squirrels are looking like adults, and are moving around by his place and here also.

July 31, 1982 Leo Lake on the Gunflint Trail
The last day of “summer.” Actually, we are in the fullness of summer with berries ripening and young birds growing up to be on their own. Rode bikes to Poplar Creek on Finn Road and then walked the loop via Hooker Lake and Bow Lake. It’s a mostly logged area with some large Aspen. Saw a medium-tailed Ovenbird being fed by an adult. Also saw a long-tailed Swamp Sparrow–looks very much like a Lincoln–begging, and being fed. By Bow Lake we saw a Bank Swallow flocking on wires with Barn Swallows. Canoeing in the afternoon to Swamp Lake. The loon nest has eggshells, but parents seem to be childless. Lydia saw an adult Junco feeding a large, young. At home, medium tailed Cedar Waxwings are being fed by adults. They are hanging around much of the afternoon. Picked first of the peas.

Reader’s note: Lydia is Lydia Miller Hoffman’s neighbor.

From the pages of Ken Hoffman’s Journal, July 15 – July 30, 1981

Read by Leah Thomas, Ellen Hawkins, Bob Shannan, Yafa Napadensky, Chel Anderson and Barb LaVigne

July 15, 1981 Leo Lake on the Gunflint Trail
A full day working on bathhouse–much cooler with temps in the 40s. Finished sheathing and put shingles on roof. High about 70 degrees. Went swimming and there was a small bird flock there moving around together. Bay-breast, Parula, Nashville warbler, yellow-rump warbler, nuthatches, Boreal chickadees, Black-capped chickadees. Song Sparrows appear to be still feeding their young–as are Juncos. Mallard leading large young ones into the lake from Lydia’s minnow pond. Some nice strawberries along roadside. Swallows more active over the house. Yellow-bellied flycatcher calling occasionally. Swamp Sparrow still sings. Greater Fritillaries in the yard and Geometer moths.

July 16, 1981 Leo Lake on the Gunflint Trail
Partly cloudy. A Solitary Vireo singing a little, and moving around. Went to town–doing laundry and bringing in the truck tire to be fixed. One Least-sandpiper is the only “peep” we could find besides Killdeer and a Spotty. Many Mallard broods of all sizes and ages. Young Brewer’s Blackbird out of nest. Swallows gathering as they do this time of year. Home about noon. Walked to Ollar’s pond where there were many Fragrant Water Lilies, some yellow Bladderworts, Royal Fern with almost ripe spores. Making more chicken soup in the evening and a cheesecake. Thunder showers.

July 17, 1981 Leo Lake on the Gunflint Trail – Ken’s Birthday
Ken writes: Up till 1 am. Finally saw last part of moon eclipse as skies began to clear. Ken is 41. Molly is 34. Warm humid morning. Boreal Chickadee troop moving through the area. Magnolia warbler singing early. Went to check Northern three-toed Woodpecker nest hole and then to the Brule burn.
Molly writes: No activity near Northern three-toed Woodpecker hole. Thunderstorms moving through and rain was sometimes heavy. Picked just a few strawberries for Ken’s Birthday 14939 Gunflint Trail celebration cheese cake, but were forced to head home because of lightning, thunder and rain. Carl Brandt stopped by and the three of us went to Lydia’s where Luana joined us later. We had sponge cake and cheesecake and a good time. Ken does not want to make a “big Deal” about his getting registered. Humid and uncomfortable all afternoon and evening. Small rainbow briefly. doing lettering on Nor’Wester sign. Nighthawks flying about.

July 19, 1981 Leo Lake on the Gunflint Trail
Nice sunny warm day. Putting siding on bathhouse. Young birds and adults–Blackburnian warbler, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Ruby Crowned Kinglets, Tennessee Warbler, Nashville Warbler. Molly finished sign lettering for Carl and is sorting and tagging macrame. In the afternoon, more siding and completed tarpapering of walls. A nice swim. Grackles flocking–15 or more. White lettuce starting, Jewelweed, Large-leaved Aster.

July 22, 1981 Leo Lake on the Gunflint Trail
Another clear cool morning–38 degrees. Small birds no longer have territories. Vireos in yard, Black-and-white warbler, adult, male Bay-breast (still singing.) Young, heavily streaked Yellow-rumps begging. they are hardly recognizable and have no yellow. Young Sapsuckers in alders, Rose-breasted Grosbeak family groups.
Canoed over to Gecas’s where he showed us the lines he wants surveyed. Walking in his woods and on Finn Lake Road, found a few ripe blueberries, young Boreal chickadee. Home by noon, then proceeded to work on shed. Put in a window and did three-corner moldings. Molly put a new roof on the doghouse. Got two buckets of beef bones with much meat from Trail Center. Went to the dump after cleaning bones with Muki and Tootie. About six bears at the dump and maybe 12 people watching. We also had a bear in our compost last night. Another cool night–48 degrees at 10pm.

July 25, 1981 Leo Lake on the Gunflint Trail
Windy and dark with light rain. Yellow-bellied flycatcher singing “chee-wee.” Went to art fair in Grand Marais on a last-minute decision. Nice weather in town. Saw eight Yellowlegs, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Baird’s Sandpiper, Least Sandpiper. Late, saw the same birds except Baird’s Sandpiper in storm runoff pond. Baird’s was with Semipalmated Sandpiper and we could see that the Baird’s was larger with brown on its breast like pectoral. Saw some pretty Brook Lobelias along rocky shore of Lake Superior, behind light plant. Home by 6pm. Then we went to visit Luana. Bear came up into the back of the pickup, checking the compost bucket. Ran away when I hit the truck with a small rock.

July 28, 1981, Leo Lake on the Gunflint Trail
Cool, clear morning. Took care of Lydia’s countertop business and got a letter off to Duluth. She has young Pine Siskins at her feeder, Hummingbirds, and many Purple Finches. Off to Seagull picking blueberries–pretty Jack Pine woods; open understory and much Saganaga granite exposed. Slender Ladies’ Tresses, many old Pink Moccasin flowers, Rattlesnake plantains. Got about four quarts of berries. Few birds, but did see Nighthawk and Boreal Chickadee–heard a Hermit Thrush singing. Home by 4pm. Gave Lydia about a cup of berries, then home making syrup and blueberry muffins. Rain shower, which forced us to get some stuff out of the truck. Molly saw a young Junco being fed under Lydia’s feeder.

July 29, 1981, Leo Lake on the Gunflint Trail
Surveying from about 9 to 2. Heard Black-throated Green Warbler along Finn Road. Canada Warbler also singing. Back home swimming in Poplar Lake. Water is cool, but nice. Eating blueberries.

July 30, 1981, Leo Lake on the Gunflint Trail
Threatening weather, so we stayed home. Working on a summer report and put door on the bathhouse. Writing note of interest on Rusty Blackbird sighting of June, 29. Dark all day but no rain. Our gardens appear to be suffering–mostly from malnutrition. Young Swainson’s Thrush, barely able to fly. Very little bird activity.

Reader’s note: Lydia is Lydia Miller the Hoffman’s neighbor.