The Baiting Hollow Hummingbird Sanctuary: more mating

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).

Monday, May 11, 2015

more mating - but very different this time.

Yesterday while I was working in a flower bed, I noticed 2 box turtles chasing each other. When I returned a short while later, I observed the male climb onto the back of the female. They were partly obscured by leaf litter and a newly planted Salvia guaranitica, whose rather minimal shade and cover they seemed to like for their amours. The male remained firmy attached to the female (who you can only just see underneath in the videos), and after settling in comfortably he started regular brief bitings in the region of the female's withdrawn head. Each bite made a definite faint clicking sound, which you can hear on the second video. Apparently this coupling can last for 2 hours, but I had to go shopping.

3 comments:

AnonymousMay 11, 2015 at 12:46 PM
Interesting. A sanctuary for turtles too.
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Paul AdamsMay 11, 2015 at 2:09 PM
I try to keep the place as natural (unmanicured) as possible, with the exception of growing hummer-friendly plants. Despite recent development, the sanctuary is still surrounded by fairly natural woods. So we see lots of wildlife, including the beautiful and rare (on Long Island) rough green snake, and, in earlier years, the elegant weasel.
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UnknownMay 11, 2015 at 6:08 PM
So, I loved the video. Mostly because I always saw these sweet box turtles all over the place when I was growing up.
But, now to see them mating makes me so happy that they have the habitat to thrive in.
thank goodness, that you have saved this very special place for all these animals to survive.
You are a godsend, Paul.
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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.