Observations by tnewman

saw an adult perched in dead top of tree that they nested in last year. Nest appears empty and not active. 2 other red-shoulders were flying around and all 3 inter-acted. I suspect they failed at nesting somewhere else this spring as they haven't been present at Jones Park for quite some time.

SLT seem to be in full flower at VFW. Last year I had estimated there were 1500 spikes. My WAG is about 1000 spikes but I haven't walked it like I did in 2023. The plants seem to be widely distributed across the VFW, but perhaps not as dense. The VFW has been mowing the edges of the lawns along road. Of course this is cutting off the flower spikes, but not killing the leaves (mower nips the leaves).

Growing in rain water drain behind church. Spike heights measured. spikes mostly in full flower with petals open. Growing both on toe slope of basin(where better drained) and some on flat bottom where there was a little standing water. No spikes seen on rest of church lawns as these receive much more frequent mowing. Mean=19.72, Median=19.75, Shortest spike =10.25"' Tallest spike=30.25".