The Baiting Hollow Hummingbird Sanctuary: Thuya

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, July 1, 2016

Thuya

Here are some pictures from our recent trip to Thuya Garden, in Northeast Harbour, Maine. It's the second of Charles Savage's 2 masterworks. You can read more about his work here.

There are magnificent old pots at Thuya. These were made long ago by Eric Soderholtz using concrete that resembles terra cotta (which would not survive the Maine winters). Lunaform now makes similar pots but they are extremely expensive and not as fine.

There are also 2 wonderful garden pavilions; here you see Claire in the upper one.

There are also magnificent doors carved by Savage (an Inn-Keeper) himself.

Another huge Soderholtz urn.

The lawn slopes up to the upper pavilion; a red azalea on the right.

The wonderful Maine rocks are used beautifully.

When we were there they were still setting out many annuals, and there were not yet many flowers. Here you see a little folding table which carries a detailed, well-used planting map.

the fabulous meconopsis (Himalyan blue poppy)

A closer view of the red azalea, with my elegant traveling companion.

Finally, here are a couple of videos.

Bees enjoying the Phlox subulata growing between the beautiful rocks

View along the main garden axis.

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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

Friday, July 1, 2016

Thuya

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