Near seasonal temperatures prevailed in this area for most of this week. There was a range of 46 degrees, from the low of 36 on the 7th, to the high of 82 degrees on the 11th. That 82 degrees was the warmest reading since the 84 degrees on May 30th and the only reading in the 80’s thus far in June. If the forecast is correct, most of the high readings for the approaching week will be in the 70’s.

There was rainfall recorded on four dates during the week and it totalled 0.97 of an inch. Rainfall since May 30th has been substantial, measuring 2.72 inches, with more in the forecast. Vegetation has grown lush, with good color since the extended dry spell in May.

Previous years I stopped putting seeds in the bird feeder in May but the last two years I place about one-half the amount that I place there during the colder months. The most noticeable birds at the feeder or below it are the mourning doves. They have become a pest in the squash growing area. I have kept corn scattered on the ground or mill felt between the hills of squash but recently they have ignored the corn and are digging up the seeds or eating off the plants. Some of the hills have been replanted twice and now protective wire squares have been placed over the hills.

More hay growing acreage was harvested during the week and more is drying as I write this. My baler failed on the last bale of the day, with a worn out pulley and shaft on June 11th. Thanks to a charitable or considerate neighbor, he let me borrow his baler on the 12th to bale 231 bales. A new pulley and repaired shaft were inserted into the baler on the 13th by a completed helper who has helped in the harvesting of hay for four or more years.

The five to 12 Canada geese that were feeding in my fields for several weeks have been noticeably absent for at least 10 days. A four acre field cut on June 3rd has lush, tender grass growing but thus far it hasn’t enticed the geese to feed on it. A few would be welcome but when their numbers increase they destroy a lot of the growing hay crop.

New bloom observed recently include: lodino and red clover, purple hairy vetch, wild pink rose, poppy, white rose, bed straw, blackberry, syringa (mock orange).

Most years the black cherry bloom is quite noticeable but this year’s bloom was scanty and later than normal; some small green cherries are evident but there have been few cherries for jelly in recent years.

This period of time last year had warmer average temperature readings, reinforced by three readings in the 80s and the coolest reading was 42 degrees on the 11th.

Rainfall on four dates totalled 2.03 inches, a substantial part of the 4.72 inches for the entire month of June.

Week of June 7-13

Day High Low Precip.

Sun. 71 36 0

Mon. 63 46 0.08 9 p.m.

Tues. 68 54 0.43

Wed. 76 57 0

Thurs. 82 60 0

Fri. 78 63 0.02 9 p.m.

Sat. 79 58 0.44