On this day in Ken’s journal – September 17th to October 1st, 1982
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 the early journals dated 1981 to 1985, 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 journals are read by friends and community members. Pictured is Ellen Hawkins.
From the pages of Ken Hoffman’s Journals Sept 16th – October 1st, 1982
September 16th, 1982 Leo Lake on the Gunflint Trail
Up at 2am defrosting refrigerator. 36 degrees with ground fog, north wind, stars visible through the fog, many “peep” sounds from the migrating birds. Cloudy by 7am but partly clear later—cloudy again by the evening. Birding locally, early—many kinglets (both), Tennessee, Nashville, Parula, Magnolia, Yellow-rump (not as many?), Winter Wren, Black-throated Green, all three Vireos, Purple Finch, Flicker, Sapsucker. Went to town about 8am, birding and shopping. Loon, Green-Wing Teal, Wigeon, Ring-neck, Goldeneye, Common and Red-breasted Merganser, Merlin, three Kestrels, Golden Plover (one), four Baird’s Sandpiper, Sanderlings, a very late Kingbird by the Tourist Park, Least Flycatcher, many Kinglets of both kinds, Pipits, Chestnut-sided warbler, Wilson’s, Canada, Redstart, Blackpoll, Savannah sparrows (several), first Longspur, Horned larks, two Great-Blue Herons. Picked up some of our winter supplies from Fozo’s—very handy. Home by 3:30pm. Around home we saw about six White-crowned Sparrows, Black-and-White warbler, Common Yellowthroat and Northern Waterthrush. Cute, Least Chipmunk gathering bedding material—Fireweed fluff and cedar strips. Moose along the Trail with rack hanging in shreds—blood-red tips.
September 17th, 1982 Leo Lake on the Gunflint Trail
A partly sunny day, but also some showers mixed in. A good bird day, again. All three Vireos (several times), Black-and-white warbler, Tennessee, Nashville, Parula, Magnolia, Black-throated Blue (on the Leo Road), Yellow-rump, Black-throated green, Chestnut-sided (several), Bay-breast? Blackpoll? (too high in the trees), Ovenbird, Redstart, Swainson’s Thrush, both Kinglets, Sapsucker, Flicker, kestrel (overhead), still many White-throat and Ruby-crowns in the yard. Nolans had one Hummingbird. Birded mostly in the yard and nearby on Leo Road. Did go to Nolan’s to visit and buy some nails and glasses still left from their garage sale last Sunday. Very few birds on Hungry Jack grade. A pretty good flock through the yard at suppertime. Clear early in the evening, but a rain shower about 9pm. While with the dogs on our afternoon walk a dark cloud came over accompanied by a strong northwest wind—knocked the top off a birch stub, which Dolly took in and promptly turned around to head home.
September 18th, 1982 Leo Lake on the Gunflint Trail
Molly writes: Almost had a sunrise, but clouds to the south and east partially obscured it. The sky was clear all night, also with Northern Lights. Frost sometime during the night, but warmer—35 degrees—by morning. Birds are becoming harder to find. In the morning by the Leo Road and Gunflint Trail we saw a Wilson’s warbler and a Tennessee. Most small flocks seemed predominantly Ruby-crowned Kinglets and Yellow-rumped warblers. All three Vireos, Sapsucker, Palm, Nashville and Yellow-throat in Smittie’s alders. Walked the Leo Road after chores (completed cleaning shed, made kindling, boards on bathhouse north wall, Lydia’s windows) and saw a Winter Wren on Carl’s brush pile, Bay-breast at top of hills, Black-throated Blue, Black-throated Green, Chestnut sided, Golden-crowned Kinglets, Bald Eagle Osprey, both Chickadees and a Hermit Thrush on the far side of the Lake across the swamp. Partly cloudy and cool all day. Had a small wood fire in the evening. Many White-crowned sparrows feeding on the driveway, but have not yet seen an adult plumaged one. Lydia had one hummingbird early in the morning. Ordered Thomas Sadler Roberts books today.
September 21, 1982 Leo Lake on the Gunflint Trail
Ken writes: 29 degrees in the morning with ice on the water pail (first time). A “black” frost—(last year it was on September 20th). Yellow-rumps moving. Two adult White-crowns joining about five immatures.
Molly writes: Spent the day close to home. Walked about, looking for birds and worked on bathhouse walls. Yellow-rump, Solitary Vireo, Magnolia Warbler, Nashville Warbler, Swamp Sparrow, both Kinglets Swainson’s and Hermit thrush (watched Swainson’s sit and sun itself in a Mountain Ash tree while a second thrush fed on the berries). Red-tailed hawk, Sapsucker, Pileated woodpecker—more vocal. Black-backed three-toed woodpecker in the yard. Beautiful, perfectly clear sunny day with only a little wind. Watched a beautiful sunset while visiting with Lydia. Northern Lights were beautiful, even with a glow of pink in the southeast.
September 22, 1982 Leo Lake on the Gunflint Trail
Molly writes: A beautiful sky at 4am. Pulsating Northern Lights all across the southern sky—so bright it is like a full moon. One of the best displays we have seen. Already dissipating by 4:30am. Temperature not quite freezing at 4am, sky perfectly clear and no wind. Hear several Loons giving a low, lonesome call before sunrise.
Ken writes: About 30 degrees by morning with more ice in water pails. Another beautiful day. Robins arriving in numbers for the first time. Ruby-crowned and Golden-crowned Kinglets—still five immature and two adult White-crowns, Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, many Yellow-rumps all day. One Palm warbler along the road. Also a Black-throated Blue Warbler, Nashville warbler, Flicker in yard as was a Black-backed-three-toed Woodpecker again (are they moving?) Walked down Leo Road, saw a Black-throated Green and a Purple Finch, plus many “chip” birds. At home working on bathhouse—putting on inside boards. After lunch went to Nolans to pay for stuff we bought. Along Hungry Jack grade saw some nice flocks including Magnolia, Black-throated Green, Terns, Blackburnian! Solitary and Red-eyed Vireo. Still lots of Yellow-rumps. Can’t forget: Black-and-White Warbler. All in all, a very good day for birds. Nolans called in the evening—they had two Hummingbirds today.
September 23rd, 1982 Leo Lake on the Gunflint Trail
It seems the migration is over mostly for warblers. A few Yellow-rumps here and both Kinglets. Loon still calls, as do Crows. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker and several Robins. Went to town despite threatening weather—thunder rumbling across Lake Superior. Yellow-rumps not as numerous, a few Palm warblers, Lesser Scaup in Harbor, Horned Grebe, both Mergansers, Longspurs (quite a few), Horned Larks, Merlin harassing Crows. A Pigeon! Of all things, by the light plant. Lincoln’s Sparrow and many White-crowns by ball field area. Very quiet compared to our few previous visits. Picked up dog food from stock-aide. Rabbit in the yard this evening. Chipmunk packing away corn I have put out. Still misty in the evening after morning thunder shower.
September 24th, 1982 Leo Lake on the Gunflint Trail
A cold, northerly wind with some mist. Showers during the night. White-crowns. Still are chipmunks. White-throats, two Blue Jays eating corn. Golden and Ruby Kinglets, Canada Geese, Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers. Went to town with Molly to the clinic. Birding around the Harbor briefly in a very heavy, northwest wind. The usual Larks, Pipits and Longspurs, but not much else, except a Pectoral Sandpiper by the public dock. Sharp-shinned hawk overhead on the way home. Molly has what is probably an injured disc and must stay in bed for three weeks! On my bike, went to Hungry Jack grade—saw some nice birds: Swainson’s Thrush, Red-eyed Vireo, Tennessee Warbler, Nashville, Magnolia, many Yellow-rumps, Black-throated Green and Ovenbird. We always seem to see nice warblers late in the year along Beauty Lake grade. White-crowns still at home. Many Ruby and Golden Kinglets still, but not as many as earlier. Visited with Beatties and Cyril. A beautiful, clear evening. Received feeders via UPS from Audubon workshop.
September 25th, 1982
Clear and cool—26 degrees. Bachelor Buttons survived hard frost. Molly very sore this morning. Yellow-rumps and Kinglets are the only birds around. Working on new bed for lilies most of the morning. Went to Hungry Jack grade after lunch, saw Nashville Warbler plus many Yellow-rumps and a few Kinglets. A beautiful, sunny day.
September 27th, 1982 Leo Lake on the Gunflint Trail Put feed in the new feeder—corn, oats, sunflower. Yellow-rumps in the area, Ruby Kinglets, first Rusty Blackbird since summer (July), quite a few Robins clucking. Blue Jay at new feeder is stuffing himself, like he can hardly believe it. Gray Jay too. Flock of nine Robins flying, Purple Finches. Went to Hungry Jack grade where I saw Nashville and Black-throated Green again. Put plugs and points in the car during the afternoon. Molly had a bad evening.
September 28th, 1982
Very strong, east wind with rain showers and cool. Molly is somewhat better after taking medicine (pain pill). Two chipmunks under the feeder. Gray Jays and Blue Jays in the feeder. White-throated sparrow, Rusty Blackbird. Molly’s mom called at 10am. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. Justine stopped by urging Molly to go to the hospital and see a specialist. Doctor from clinic says she should come in tomorrow. An exhausting day.
September 30th, 1982 Leo Lake on the Gunflint Trail
Off early to check on my lovely Molly. A beautiful, clear night with “heeps and peeps,” probably Hermit Thrushes. In Grand Marais were Tennessee, Yellow-Rump, Palm warblers, Black-throated Green, both Kinglets, two Green-winged Teal, Widgeon, Merlin (saw it with a dragonfly). Large flock of Horned Larks. Dear Molly is not feeling well. We will take her to Duluth tomorrow. Visiting Lydia and Beatties in the evening. Chickadees at tube feeder.
October 1st, 1982
To town with our good friend Justine. Then with Molly to St. Lukes in Duluth. Everything happens fast and yet it seems very slow too, as Molly is suffering with great back pains. Dr. H. thinks she will need an operation on Monday as the disc is ruptured. My Molly, my Molly—please get well.
Reader’s note: Lydia is Lydia Miller the Hoffman’s neighbor. Beatties and Cyril were also neighbors in the mid-Gunflint Trail area. Justine is Justine Kerfoot.
On this Day in Ken’s Journal is supported in part by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.
