The Baiting Hollow Hummingbird Sanctuary: Today's videos; red horsechestnut

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, May 22, 2016

Today's videos; red horsechestnut

The first vid shows Fred taking off from his favorite perch. 2X slo-mo

The second shows Fred, in a rear view, perching on a branch hanging over the back deck.

This afternoon I was sitting in the lower garden, taking a break from planting a batch of Salvia involucrata "Bethellii" which I obtained from the Colorful Garden (a local wholesaler whose great flowers are widely available in retail stores throughout Long Island, including their Jamesport retail store). Some of you may remember that around this time last year I was featuring here on the blog the very pretty red horsechestnut Aesculus x pavia known as "Fort McNair". Well I was admiring this small tree, which is now in flower again, when who should roll up and sample the flowers but ..... Fred! It was quite sight to see Fred flaunting his red gorget as he buzzed between the spectacular pink flowers. The tree is actually a hybrid of Red Buckeye (which is also a good hummingbird tree, of which I have 2 at the sanctuary) and regular horse-chestnut A. hippocastanum. Of course I did not have the camera with me, but I will show some images of the tree tomorrow.
Last, a couple of bonus vids. The first shows treetops on the far rim of the western valley, with a striking cloud formation (2X fast motion). The second shows one of my lilacs, and then the oak tree at whose foot the lilac. I've cut some of the fragrant blooms for the 2 cabins.

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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.

BASICS

Sunday, May 22, 2016

Today's videos; red horsechestnut

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