Above average high temperatures continued with a high temperature this week of 79 degrees on Monday March 9. All other days except one were also well above normal. Soil temperatures in the 60s and 70s by midafternoon continued. The soil is dry and powdery where there isn't much vegetation. The grass is starting to green up but still has a lot of brown. Most trees and shrubs and perennial flowers are still dormant, except for blooming crocuses and my Canadian choke cherry tree with leaf buds beginning to swell. We only received 0.14 inch of rain this week and the ground is drying up again. Conditions are mildly dry. March precipitation has totaled only 0.37 inch (0.53 inch below normal, or 41 percent of normal). Precipitation here for the year is now 2.22 inch, which is 0.46 inch below normal (83 percent of normal). Precipitation for the water year is 1.96 inch below normal (75 percent of normal). Plants and wildlife. Bird visits to the heated bird bath remained steady this week due to the limited sources of water. Approximately 25 species of birds (about 150 to 160 birds visit each day). Water Supply Water level in Standing Bear Lake (approximately 0.2 mile to the east of here) is approximately 2 feet below normal. Area creeks and ponds are also about 2 feet below normal.