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).

Sunday, August 18, 2013

CLOSED TODAY SUNDAY; attracting hummers


We are closed today (sunday aug 18) for 2 private groups. Both groups are regular visitors to the sanctuary, and have contributed wonderful photos and hummingbird plants. If you are a member of a camera, garden or birding club, consider arranging a private visit. This offers several advantages: you can bring equipment, carpool, exchange information, and stay longer. The public is excluded from such events.
We are also sometimes closed for a variety of other reasons; please respect our closings and stay away. We can only operate if people are thoughtful and respectful of what we do. We are not in this to make money (far from it!) but to share our joy in these marvelous little birds.  But almost everyone on Long Island can make their own backyard into a little hummer haven, with regular hummingbird activity., though it takes more effort than rural off-isand locations. Here are some simple steps towards that goal.
(1) plants "black and blue" salvia, and other 3/4 star plants like coral honeysuckle and cardinal flower
(2) provide a few clean feeders with fresh clear sugar water (1:4 ratio)
(3) provide open areas and trees with some dead branches, for perching
(4) spend lots of time near your flowers and feeders; you don't need to watch, just listen for the buzz.

We should be open most slots next week, but please check the blog for details, and only come if you have a printed signed waiver. Hummers were quite active yesterday, and should remain so until we get a good north wind.

The recent photo is by Martin Stone. Thanks Martin!

1 comment:

  1. Dear Paul, I requested a waiver a few days ago as a few of the members of our 4-H club are interested in visiting this summer. Reading today's blog, though, I'm wondering if you are open to us requesting a group tour. Our club has 18 children, ages 5-10, and 10 parents; that would be a maximum number, as I doubt everyone could make it on the same day. We'd happily donate plants, and the visit would probably lead to our members doing a project or presentation on hummingbirds at a 4-H fair later in the year. I realize you're only open for a few more weeks, so this request may be unfeasible, but I thought I'd try. My email is carole dot vandevelde at gmail dot com. Thanks so much for hosting such a terrific destination!

    Carole

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