The Baiting Hollow Hummingbird Sanctuary: First Reports of Hummer Sightings on Long Island; some Calypso clips.

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).

Friday, May 6, 2016

First Reports of Hummer Sightings on Long Island; some Calypso clips.

just a quick note to say that I now have 2 separate reports of hummingbirds on Long Island. Of course some have probably been here for a couple of weeks, but these are the first definite sightings I've heard about. More to follow soon.

UPDATE - I've just heard from a third person (in Shoreham) who's hosting a hummer. Indeed, this hummer showed up already 10 days ago - about when I expected the first arrivals.

Of course, a few video clip, from Eleuthera :

First, the typical puffy white clouds - my favorite

Our beach (then my feet) on a choppy day, viewed from the ocean

Frangipani (aka Plumeria)

Danny Hauben painting (with pastels) during his visit here in january

2 comments:

firewalker57May 9, 2016 at 9:05 PM
Monday night May 9th in East Yaphank south of the expressway spotted my first male rubythroat of the season and he may have been chasing another one it was getting dark and hard to see . am so happy !!
carolyn
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Paul AdamsMay 12, 2016 at 12:29 PM
Carolyn - great news! It appears I also have a male at the sanctuary. Of course males are always the first to arrive, and they try to grab the best territories.
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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.