MAY 2008 WEATHER & PHENOLOGY IN REVIEW

From the North Shore of Little Rock Lake, Benton County, MN

Jim Hovda, Rice MN  56367-0265     jhovda.rice@juno.com

N  45  44 .862     W  094  09  .603

WEATHER LAST MAY:       Warmer & dryer...   The averages were about eight degrees warmer at (L) 46.45  (H) 72.02 degrees.   Only eight days with lows in the 30's compared to twenty-two this year.  Three days made it to 80 degrees.  None this year.  Only 1.27" of precipitation in May.  It was a dry month.   The month ended with 9.02" of precip for the year.  NO SNOW. 

WEATHER:       Although WINTER has left us, the warm spring days we are used to enjoying have not arrived.   All the growing things are at least two weeks behind schedule.  Winds out of the north and clouds seem to be the order of this spring.   The average low temp for the month of 38.03 degrees reflected it all.   Only six days with readings in the 40's and three days 50's tell the cold side of our temps.  The coldest temp was recorded on the 21st when it was below freezing at 31.8 degrees.  There was a lot of ice on the bird bath... Those who did not cover their tomatoes suffered.  Warmth was not in the picture.  With the average high only 65.78 degrees compared to 72.02 degrees last year it has been tough for the growing things and birds.  According to my KARE 11 Weatherguide Environment (TM) Calendar, every day in May I recorded below normal temps with either the high or low readings.   My warm readings told the story too.   No 80's.    Ten days in the 70's with the high reading of 77.3 degrees on the 17th.   The furnace is still on duty.

       It was a good month for rain.  (NO SNOW!!!)  Nine days with rain spread out evenly thru the month.  Five days had really good rains.  The most rain fell on the 29th when no less than 1.30" filled the rain gage.  We ended the month with 3.79" which is slightly above normal.     Precipitation for the year stands at 9.90".  Almost one inch more than at this time last year.    We ended the snow season (I hope) with 46.2" of the white stuff.  Last year we ended with 39".

WEATHER RECORDS:       Locally, the low record was 18 degrees in 1907 while our out-state reading was 4 degrees (-16 C) in Pine River.  Our Rice high was recorded in May 1934 with a reading of no less than 105 degrees.  Maple Plain recorded 112 degrees (43 C) the same year.  The most rain locally occurred in 1912 when 9.68" fell in May.   May is also the last month we received snow on record when 3.2" fell in 1971.  

PHENOLOGY:       Everything is arriving about two weeks late.    Including the sprouts and buds of growing things.  I'll do the birds first.  Due to the lack of flowers, insects and other food for the birds, the feeders which also include food for the orioles and hummingbirds have been crowded with our feathered friends.  On the 1st the first Oriole arrived.   I already had the feeder out for them as Jim Gilbert (famed WCCO Radio naturalist personality) gave us a "heads up" on this issue.   The Yellow-rumped Warblers also arrived.  And, not all was calm and tranquil at the feeder when the Sharp-shinned Hawk grabbed a small bird that was slow to get off the ground.   The dinner table is not always safe for some creatures nor are seeds and nectar always the food of choice.    On the 2d, the first Rose-breasted Grosbeak arrived.  I knew that spring and warm temps were right around the corner.  (Really)   Also, my friend Conrad Urbik who lives on the Mississippi observed his first Kildeer and a Scarlet Tanager.  This month I also have a tanager that makes regular visits to the feeder.   Was really happy to see the first Purple Martin scout arrive on the 4th.  Since then, the number of these birds are about fifteen pair.   More than last year.   We were without these wonderful birds for many years until a couple of years ago.  The 5th ushered in a lone Grey Catbird to the feeder.   A Yellow Warbler arrived on the 6th.    I knew spring was (supposed to be) here when the first two Ruby-throated Hummingbirds were busy eating sugar water from the feeder.     On the evening of the 11th the familiar call of the Whip-poor-will with its never ending call was not far away and Emil Williams observed the first wren.    A first for me on the 13th, the Scarlet Tanager and a Blue Indigo Bunting were both sitting on a branch next to the feeder.  What a beautiful sight.  These are magnificent birds!    Crossing Little Rock Creek, there sat a Belted Kingfisher looking for a meal on the 14th.    Our first half of May ushered in a lot of beauty.  

       Other observations include the first red dragon fly on the 6th.   To my surprise, a flying squirrel at the feeder on the 12th.   I was glad to see the return of this fine creature.   I've been looking for them for at least a year without success.    He/she has been back on a regular basis.    My first LAWN MOWING occurred on the 21st.   Among the many blooming things, the Mountain Ash Tree started to bloom on the 27th and many of the hostas were showing lots of leaves.

       None of our deployed soldiers/marines have given me any reports about their weather or critters that they have observed or come in contact with.  We have two from our Legion Post in Rice.  Sergeant Kyle McNeal, U.S. Army and Corporal Kayla Saldana, USMC.

NATURE NOTES:       Hummingbirds' wings move in a figure-eight pattern.  This allows the birds to hover and fly in all directions - even upside down!   They beat their wings about 50 times a second so they appear as a blur. 

       Freshwater sturgeon can live up to 150 years and reach 400 lbs.  May/June MN Conservation Volunteer.

LITTLE ROCK LAKE NOTES:       The DNR will not permit any treatment for Curly Leaf Pond Weed.  Not enough of them were in the lake.   The lake, as of 03 June has some surface algae but the lake is really clear.  One can see at least three to four feet down.