The Baiting Hollow Hummingbird Sanctuary: Fred perches and snacks; first opening dates

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, July 12, 2016

Fred perches and snacks; first opening dates

Fred returned today to the perch he favored in early june, and I got this clip. Later, at his regular post-sunset snack time, he was back at the cuphea. Note that in both clips it's only when he turns his gorget toward the camera it flashes red - from the side it looks black.

I'll start opening early this year (july 20, 21, 22, from 10 to 12.30 and from 3-5) then every week until sept 15, but only 3 days a week (and the occasional weekend morning or afternoon, as per the settlement agreement), AND ONLY AT to be ANNOUNCED DATES. If you would like to visit one of these 3 dates, please email me, but bear in mind there will be plenty of other opportunities, with more hummingbird activity (and only 1 visit per season is allowed). No visits without a confirmed appointment!

I've not yet seen hummers visiting the Lucifer crocosmia, which are in magnificent bloom, together with "Hyperion" daylilies (which hummers never visit). But I caught these 2 clips with butterflies.

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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

Tuesday, July 12, 2016

Fred perches and snacks; first opening dates

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