May 2018 was the warmest May ever recorded in Seattle. It was also tied for the driest May. Watering started earlier than usual, at the middle of the month. The average temperature was 61. That was 5 degrees above normal. Rainfall was 0.12 inches. That was 1.82 inches below normal. The highest temperature was 88 on 5/14. The lowest was 45 on 5/2 & 5/19.
A pair of Oregon Juncos (Junco hyemalis) nested in the Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (Kinnikinnick) that hangs down the wall between the patio & parking pad. The nest was at eye-level. A bird was seen in the nest & later the chicks. They vacated on 5/19. This information is from Wikipedia: They usually nest in a cup-shaped depression on the ground, well hidden by vegetation or other material, although nests are sometimes found in the lower branches of a shrub or tree. The nests have an outer diameter of about 10 cm (3.9 in) and are lined with fine grasses and hair. Normally two clutches of four eggs are laid during the breeding season. The eggs are incubated by the female for 12 to 13 days. Young leave nest between 11 and 14 days after hatching.
