The Baiting Hollow Hummingbird Sanctuary: Breaking News: I'm covered under our Stony Brook policy; more slo-mo Coral

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, June 10, 2014

Breaking News: I'm covered under our Stony Brook policy; more slo-mo Coral

I just learned that under our Stony Brook homeowners' State Farm policy I'm apparently covered for this Hummingbird lawsuit! Our policy is not of the umbrella type, which I why, rather stupidly, I didn't check with State Farm until very recently, but nevertheless, and perhaps surprisingly, it covers me for this type of thing even out in Baiting Hollow, up to a limit of $500,000. That should at least cover the initial legal fees.
A lawyer has been assigned to the case, and hopefully I will soon speak with her. I'm not sure how exactly this would interact with my representing myself, or with my wider interests in this matter, or those of other birders/gardeners. beyond for example the $3M the plaintiffs are demanding.

The weather is very damp and gray, with occasional rain, so although I'm seeing Fred and Coral, I cannot easily take video. In the meantime here are some more slow mo clips from my session with Coral at her lovely honeysuckle (which Fred is now also visiting, albeit very briefly.

3 comments:

UnknownJune 10, 2014 at 4:18 PM
This is very good news about having legal coverage under homeowner's policy!!
I have exactly the same honeysuckle and it was very interesting to see the hum. in slow motion - thanks!
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SoniaJune 14, 2014 at 9:54 AM
Great news!
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RespectingNatureJune 17, 2014 at 9:26 AM
Very nice. I really enjoy these video clips too.
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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.