The Baiting Hollow Hummingbird Sanctuary: July 2011

BASICS

BASICS: "Hummingbirds.....where is the person, I ask, who, on observing this glittering fragment of the rainbow, would not pause, admire, and turn his mind with reverence..." (J. J. Audubon).

This is a blog about my summer life at the Baiting Hollow Hummingbird Sanctuary, at my winter garden, Calypso, in the Bahamas, and aspects of life in general.

This private sanctuary is now permanently closed to the general public, as a result of a lawsuit brought by a neighbor. Only my friends and personal guests may visit (paul.adams%stonybrook.edu).

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

We open either in the morning, from 9 to 12.30 (marked "am") or in the afternoon, from 3 to 6 (marked "pm"). WE ARE ALWAYS CLOSED FROM 12.30 TO 3. We occasionally open from 3 to sunset. Please respect the posted opening times scrupulously. All other information about the sanctuary, including directions, instructions, suggests, requests etc, are available at lihummer.org. However, opening date/ time information posted at this blog is definitive. Remember that you visit entirely at your own risk: we are not insured, this is a nature sanctuary only, with no amenities. If you have questions please email me at padams@notes.sunysb.edu

- Paul

INITIAL OPEN DATES

Monday Aug 1 PM (3-6)

Tues Aug 2 PM

Wed Aug 3 am (9-12.30)/pm

Thu Aug 4 (am/pm)

Additional dates, extending throughout august, will be posted soon!

Info and Blog for the Baiting Hollow Hummingbird Sanctuary

I post on this blog up-to-date information about opening times (by appointment only - see above) and more generally about sanctuary happenings for the Baiting Hollow Hummingbird Sanctuary and Garden (see lihummer.org). It's easier to update info here than at the BHHS website. I should probably post an image at this point. This picture was taken by David Karikas last year at the Sanctuary.

added in 7/31/ 2014: Please note that although we refer, rather pompously, to our 3.4 acre property in Baiting Hollow as the Baiting Hollow Hummingbird Sanctuary (and Garden), it is really just the private backyard of our summer cottage, which we maintain in a natural state as a refuge for hummingbirds, and, in august, those who love them. The property is comprised of 2 soundfront lots. The sanctuary proper is confined to the west lot (which carries our 2 tiny cottages), while the east lot is maintained solely as a hummingbird garden. Legally speaking if you go from the west lot to the east lot you are moving from the sanctuary to the garden, though of course you can see hummingbirds in both locations. You cannot enter the east lot except through a designated access point on the west lot, and you can do so only by permission, and if you are fit and wearing appropriate shoes.

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FAQs

1. How can I visit? Unless you are an invited friend or personal guest of the owner, Paul Adams, you cannot. The sanctuary is now permanently closed to the general public.

2.Why did the sanctuary close? The sanctuary opened, on a very limited basis, during 1998-2017. However, a neighbor, Kamal Bherwani, and 2 former neighbors, Fred Terry and Shawn Hamilton, brought a $3 million lawsuit, and forced complete and permanent closing. The plaintiffs claimed, incorrectly, that the sanctuary was a "commercial business". Though no evidence for this claim was, or could be, produced, the owner decided to settle the lawsuit and permanently close.

3. When do the hummingbirds arrive and leave, and where do they go for the winter?

They arrive on Long Island late april, and early may. They leave between aug 1 and oct 1. The adult males arrive and leave first, then the adult females, then the young, in order of fledging. They all go to central America via the Gulf of Mexico.

3. What varieties do we have at the sanctuary?

Only the ruby-throat (only the adult male has the ruby throat). This is the only one that breeds east of the Mississipi. The US has about 9 other species but they are all western.

4. Why are there rocks in the trees? How long have you had this place?

I have had the property for 27 years and each year I put a new rock to mark the beginning of a new hummingbird season (may 1).

5. What is the best place to sit to see hummingbirds?

On your bottom! Since you may have to wait a bit choose the spot that best suits you.

6. How can I attract hummers to my yard?

Plant cardinal flower (right variety!) and black-and-blue salvia, maintain a couple of small clean feeders, both placed where you spend a lot of time outdoors (or in front of a picture window). Read this blog or lihummer.org for further suggestions.