AUGUST 2008 WEATHER &
PHENOLOGY IN REVIEW
From the
Jim Hovda,
WEATHER
LAST AUGUST: Almost identical to this
year. Nearly the same amount of rain (2.58") but spread out more
evenly through out the month. Low temp 43.1 and the high 92.8
degrees (F). Remember the total eclipse of the moon on the
28th? We ended the year with 14.23" compared to
21.12" this year.
SIGNIFICANT
WEATHER EVENT: The 2.10" of
rain on the 27th occurring during two lightning/thunder storms was the big
event. The first
storm of two, occurred at
WEATHER:
Low
temps were in the 50's and 60's. Good sleeping weather. Low temp
for the month was a cool 47.1 degrees on the 29th. Eighties were the
predominant high temp. Only one day in the nineties (same as last
year) recorded 92.3 degrees on the 19th. It was a really dry
month. Rain falling on eight days gave a false impression that
all was good. Only small amounts fell up to the 4th. Three
days here 12th - 14th producing about one half inch was the only rain from the
5th to the 26th. Many areas did not get that half inch I received
here on the north end of
WEATHER
RECORDS: Our locally coldest temp
occurred in 1974 and again in 2004 then the temp dipped to a chilly 33
degrees while greater MN recorded the low as 21 degrees (F) (-6 C) in
1996 and again in 2002. The area record warm temp was a blistering 105
degrees in 1936 while the out state record was 110 degrees (F) 43 Degrees
(C) in 1947 and again in 1988. The most rain locally in August occurred in 1900
when we received 9.28".
Other MN Records: The most rain in 24 hrs 15.10" and the most rain
in one month 23.86" occurred in
PHENOLOGY:
Birds
first. This years abundant population of Purple Martins started leaving
the first week in August and by the 23rd they were gone. No other
sightings to the end of the month. Grey Catbirds have been vocal
all month with their "meow" type call from the edge of the
woods. Our two Mallard ducks that report every night to our bowl of
corn seem to be down to one female Mallard. We wonder what happened to
Mr. Mallard? They were "buddies." On the 11th, I observed
no less than eight Blue Jays all eating (peacefully) at the tray feeder.
Usually one tries to keep the rest off. On the 12th, Ellie McNeal
observed a single Indigo Bunting in her driveway. Towards the end
of the month the Orioles numbers are down. Last month I
forgot to mention that Tree Swallows numbers were way down. In mid-month
groups were resting on docks. Well less than one hundred compared to at
least two hundred last year. I believe that the late April snow
storm really depleted their numbers. Vic Trutwin probably has the
unusual sighting when he observed an albino wild turkey on the 16th. Vic
reports two broods of new young turkeys. I've seen none around
here.
Insects and Critters: Bee and wasp numbers are up. Still, not what
they were last year. Speaking of bees/wasps - my neighbor Pat
Soderholm while walking by the back of their home got attacked by
wasps. We located a large hive (about 10" in diameter) under one
of the eves of the roof. Needless to say, the wasp and hornet spray
did a "number" on the hive and occupants. They should have left
Ms. Pat alone and they would have been OK. On the 15th a really
"tattered" Black Swallowtail. It is the only one we have seen
this year. Eastern Tiger Swallowtails are seen more often compared to
last month. Finally, a few leopard frogs in the grass
trying to avoid the lawn mower. I do my best to let them escape if I can
see them in time. On the 25th a lone Aphrodite Butterfly
stayed on our purple cone flowers. This is a beautiful
butterfly. Sort of orange with white and black coloring, about half the
size of a Monarch. On the 26th a lone Painted Turtle was trying to cross
NATURE
NOTE: Be sure to leave your
hummingbird feeders out. These little birds will need food for their
flight south. Food, or lack of it, is not the issue for them to
leave. Watch for migrating hawks and eagles in mid-Sept. The
oldest hummingbird ever recorded was 14 years old... Birds & Blooms June-July 2008
LITTLE
ROCK