September 22 Field Trip Report

On the northwest platform of Black Lake Park

What a difference a week makes!  Last Saturday at Hoffmaster and Black Lake Parks the weather was warm and muggy and the mosquitoes were thick.  Today at the same locations we only encountered mosquitoes along the south path of Black Lake Park, but not many.  This morning was cool (cold?) and beautiful as eight of us found 41 bird species.

Our only identifiable warblers were Nashville and Wilson's, though there were several others in the Hoffmaster trees.  Other species included Ruby-crowned Kinglet, White- and Red-breasted Nuthatch, six woodpeckers (Downy, Hairy, Red-bellied, Red-headed, Pileated and Northern Flicker), Ring-necked Duck, Pied-billed Grebe, three hawks (Red-shouldered, Red-tailed, and a migrating Sharp-shinned), four sparrows (Chipping, White-throated, Song and Swamp), Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Red-eyed Vireo and Cedar Waxwing.

Monarch at Black Lake Park

Pied-billed Grebe on Black Lake

Relaxing after walking through the Black Lake woods.

John Sapkowski 1925-2018

Ken's father, John Charles Sapkowski, age 92, passed away on September 4, 2018.  The son of John and Mary (Perkowski) Sapkowski, he was born on November 23, 1925, in Grand Rapids.  

Honoring his wishes, cremation has taken place.  To send a message of sympathy to the family, sign the online guest book, or share a favorite memory, click here for John's page at the Michigan Cremation website.