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Thirty-five years ago …

Thursday March 30, 1989

Records show February ‘89 coldest month in years

Swan Valley — Precipitation recorded at Lindbergh Lake in January was above normal, while February precipitation was about average according to weather observer Marty Kux. The most snowfall measured “on the ground” at Lindbergh Lake this winter so far was still about 34 inches of the white stuff on the ground.

As he explained the weather data collected during the past two months, Kux noted that last month turned out to be the coldest February in about eight years. “It couldn’t have gotten a whole lot colder, could it?” he joked. The average minimum temperature for Feb. 1989 was 1.5 degrees Fahrenheit. Twelve nights during that month the temperature fell below zero.

Read this and more at:

https://www.seeleylake.com/home/customer_files/article_documents/1989-03-30.pdf

Twenty years ago …

Thursday April 1, 2004

Signs of spring — Get ready for bears

Signs of spring are reminders to be ready for bears and other wildlife.

Bears are out of their dens, adding their tracks in the mud to other signs of spring, such as the varied thrush, pussywillows and the pungent scent of skunks.

When bears come out of their dens, they head for the lush river bottoms and wetland areas to fill up on fresh spring vegetation.

Bears and humans like the same habitats, so it’s not surprising to see bears in our yards if we live near water. As a matter of fact, bears may find our yards attractive even if we don’t live near water.

When the chickadees sing their three-note song, we’re reminded to rake the birdseed from beneath the feeders and move pet food from the porch to a secure storage area where bears and skunks can’t reach. Stock food should go in a locked storage area, too.

The hummingbirds will soon return, and they will be demanding their sugar feeders from the moment they arrive. Bears are just as happy to see full feeders as the hummers are. If you must feed the hummingbirds, now is the time to find places for feeders well out of the reach of bears.

Compost piles are rearing their ugly heads. Turning the piles with a shovel and adding a layer of dirt will hasten decomposition and discourage scavengers.

With the days growing longer, there is time to convert a steel or plastic drum to a bear-proof composter that will recycle yard and kitchen waste without endangering wildlife. Skunks love compost too, so if you don’t like the odor, either do away with your pile or use a composter.

Barbeques are especially enticing to bears that love to lick the drippings, sometimes not too long after we’ve gone back into the kitchen. Barbeque cookers should be rolled indoors before we go to bed.

Read this and more at:

https://www.seeleylake.com/home/customer_files/article_documents/2004-04-01.pdf