Condition Monitoring Star of the Week - May 26th - June 1st, Craven County, NC

Our Condition Monitoring Star of the Week was posted by CoCoRaHS observer with station number NC-CN-31 in Craven County, NC.  On May 27th, the observer posted the report below. We chose this report because it describes the many ways local weather is affecting agriculture, businesses, plants and wildlife in their community.  Their report is detailed, thorough and reveals how dry conditions is stressing social systems and the natural environment. We hope conditions get better, NC-CN-31.  Thank you for your awesome report!

Categories:
Agriculture
Business and Industry
Plants and Wildlife

Wkly rpt: May 25th thru May 31st: It has been two weeks (fourteen days) in which the total precipitation has been only 3/100th of an inch. Many days rain was predicted (with a 30-40% chance to no avail.) The winds have been slightly elevated which has added to the surface drying effects. The temperatures have been high, with only a day or two "below normal for this time of year". Tomatoes, although flowering did happen slightly, are not setting fruit. The peppers are doing well, the blueberries are ripening as are the raspberries. Squashes are beginning to flower and set fruit. Peas struggled this year. BIRDS: The meat eaters are having a difficult time since no rainfall means little ability to forage worms and even insects; we are noticing a strange situation with the barn swallows in that we have two nests ( with babies ) abandoned - the babies died ; and another nest that was built but not used. The hummingbird population is less this year than the same period last year. CROPS: Tobacco is doing all right - manual labor out weeding; the corn is not doing well; the wheat is dried; the buckwheat is still blooming ( but could have used a little more water ) as is the white clovers. Magnolias are blooming, but leaves appear stressed - especially on the "little gem: variety. Last fall we had a huge infestation of web worms which first effected the sweet gums, then the hollies, then the long leaf pines ( different worms/catepillars). So we are seeing the webs now again on the hollies - especially the Nellie R Stevens variety ( not so much on the American, Savannah or Foster varieties.) We are spending copious amounts of resources irrigating. Both time and water ( well and county ). The honeybees have been foraging on the buckwheat and clover as the persimmon trees are done blooming. We anticipate extracting honey within 10 days.