On this day in Ken’s Journal – August 19 to August 31, 1981
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.
On this Day in Ken’s Journal is supported in part by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.
