Broadcasting Live NOW; CLOSED SUNDAY; Waiver Rationing

We are now (i.e. this evening) broadcasting live on our (primitive) webcam from the sanctuary (click link at the top of the links section of the right). Around 7.30 pm we plan to provide a live commentary and go "hummer hunting". The light is far better than the previous few days. At the very least the sunset should good.

WE ARE CLOSED TOMORROW FOR A RARE FAMILY EVENT. Please respect our privacy and our very limited parking. WE ARE OPEN THIS SATURDAY AFTERNOON BUT YOU MUST BRING A WAIVER. Sorry for the short notice. This morning we were closed for a private group visit by an Audubon Society chapter. Long Island has many Audubon Society chapters, one near you, and many of them visit the sanctuary at their own dedicated time. Consider joining your Audubon chapter and enjoying their field trips (such as visits to the hummingbird sanctuary) and other activities.

ABOUT WAIVERS: (UPDATE: I HAVE NOW APPROVED ALL WAIVER REQUESTS MADE UP TO THE END OF AUG 9).   At the moment the Liability Waivers now needed to visit the sanctuary are not freely available at the waiver link, because we are trying to limit visitation in the aftermath of the Newsday article. Instead, the link asks you to ask to share the document. While I have already shared with many, there are many more that are still waiting for permission, though I have received your request. Don't worry, you will receive permission as soon as visitation returns to a manageable level. I'm sure that if you have a strong desire to visit the sanctuary, it will happen soon - please be patient. If you have already asked for permission (automatic via the link) please be patient and don't send in further requests. You will receive permission soon.

Today's picture is by Allen Siegel. The young hummer is probing a flower of the fabulous 4-star hummer-plant Pink Porterweed (Stachytarpheta mutabilis). This is strictly tropical, and must be brought inside for the winter, but is otherwise a tough plant. Notice how the hummer is perching on one flower stalk to reach another. Usually they have to hover to get nectar, but this costs a lot of energy, and if possible they perch to feed. They are trying to build up fat reserves for the long southward migration, and their flight burns a lot of calories.

YOU NOW NEED A WAIVER TO VISIT

You now need to present a signed liability waiver to visit at posted open times.  Please do not visit at other times. Waivers must be printed and signed before visiting: waiver forms are NOT available at the sanctuary. Despite the drizzle we are open this friday morning 9.30-12.30, but ONLY TO THOSE who present a printed signed waiver at the admission table. You should reach this by walking down the marked driveway from the parking lot (PARK ONLY IN THIS LOT) to the Bell. If the table is unattended please ring the Bell. Even equipped with a waiver, you must be extremely careful during your visit, especially if you are old, unfit, poorly shod or have difficulty walking. Sty on paths, which are steep, uneven and, today, slippery. We carry no insurance and you enter at your OWN RISK. CLOSED SAT AUG 10 and SUNDAY AUG 11 except by previous arrangement. WE ARE CLOSED AT ALL OTHER DATES/TIMES UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED AT THE CURRENT BLOG POSTING.

The photo, by Joe Mure, shows a hummer feeding at Coral Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens), a 3 star plant, perennial, easy to grow and almost continuously flowering, starting when the hummers arrive in early may.

Open This Morning (Aug 8), with Conditions

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY UP TO THE HUMMINGBIRD PICTURE

We will open this morning only (thur aug 8)  9.30 to 12.30 only (closed the rest of the day) WITH CONDITIONS:

You MUST PRINT OUT AND SIGN THIS ONE-DAY LIABILITY WAIVER BEFORE ARRIVING. IF YOU CANNOT ACCESS THIS DOCUMENT IT COULD MEAN OUR QUOTA (i.e. visitor limit) FOR THE DAY HAS BEEN REACHED - don't worry there will be plenty more open days (BUT NO-ONE WILL BE ADMITTED WITHOUT THIS PRINTED SIGNED AND pre-DATED WAIVER. BY SIGNING THIS WAIVER YOU RENOUNCE ANY RIGHT TO SUE PAUL ADAMS OR OTHERS BASED ON ACCIDENTS OR PROPERTY DAMAGE DURING OR ASSOCIATED WITH YOUR VISIT TO THE SANCTUARY. YOU MUST BRING THE PRINTED SIGNED WAIVER WITH YOU: WE DO NOT PROVIDE FORMS FOR YOU TO SIGN ON THE SPOT. ANYONE NOT BRINGING A SIGNED CORRECTLY DATED WAIVER IS TRESPASSING AND WILL BE ASKED TO LEAVE IMMEDIATELY.
AFTER PARKING, IN THE DESIGNATED LOT ONLY, ALL VISITORS MUST NOW ENTER BY THE MAIN DRIVEWAY (TO THE RIGHT OF THE YELLOW MINIBRIDGE), AND  WAIT AT THE TABLE. IF THE TABLE IS UNATTENDED PLEASE RING THE BELL - WE WILL QUICKLY ARRIVE TO ADMIT YOU. DO NOT ADVANCE BEYOND THE TABLE, OR ANYWHERE ELSE, UNTIL ADMITTED. THANKS!

The photo is by Sandra Jantzen. We will open at future dates to be posted here, but with similar conditions. Sorry about the hassle, it's caused by factors beyond my control. After complaints by neighbors, the Town of Riverhead has advised us that we need liability wavers.
We will broadcast on the webcam this afternoon when we are closed.

SORRY, CLOSED AGAIN TODAY (WED); Explanations and Apologies

Unfortunately we are unable to open today (wed) either. In a nutshell, the Newsday article on monday (over which I had no control) understandably triggered an intense burst of interest in this little sanctuary (hits on the blog went from 50 a day to over 1400), with a lot more visitors than usual. While most visitors were able to park in our designated lot, some were forced to park on the side of Terry Farm Road, and there was, briefly, an unusual volume of traffic on this narrow, private dirt road.  (In contrast, on the preceding saturday afternoon, with beautiful weather, we only got 4 visitors in 2 cars). However, as far as I could see on monday the road was never blocked. Apparently the owner of a small neighboring vacant parcel of land called the Town Attorney's office with some sort of complaint, and they sent up their Code Investigator.  
He seemed a bit puzzled by the situation but asked, quite reasonably, that we close the sanctuary to public visitation for a few days until his office could determine the legality of the situation. We hope to re-open, in some form, as soon as this matter is clarified.

We have operated unobtrusively for 15 years.  We are only open in august, and only on the selected days posted on the blog.  In addition we sometimes admit private organized groups (birders, photographers, school-groups, gardeners), but only by prior, detailed, arrangement. (We suggest you join your local Audubon chapter and ask them to organize a group visit, if they are not already doing so). We never advertise or even announce the existence of the sanctuary, because we are not set up for large numbers of visitors, and want only those few with a genuine interest in hummingbirds and hummingbird gardening to come. AND WE EXPECT ALL VISITORS TO FIRST DO THEIR HOMEWORK AND STUDY THE MAPS, DIRECTIONS, WARNINGS AND INSTRUCTIONS AT THIS BLOG AND AT LIHUMMER.ORG.

Almost all our visitors over the last 15 years have enjoyed their time here, but it's not for everyone, it's rather inaccessible (which is partly why it's nice) and you need to come with the right attitude and shoes.

I hope we can re-open soon before the hummingbirds all fly south for the winter. In the meantime we are sometimes broadcasting live from the sanctuary (see webcam link on right), yesterday for an hour in the morning and afternoon, and then for over half an hour in the evening (when we were able to follow several hummingbirds around the garden, with one inches away from the camera). Today we hope to broadcast around 9.30 am, around 3.30 pm and from 7.40 until after sunset.

The pictures were taken here recently by Amy Halpin (top; pink porter weed) and Steve Abatzidis (bottom; bog-sage). During this difficult time, we appreciate any supportive comments posted at the blog, especially if you have successfully visited in the past.

CLOSED TODAY UNFORTUNATELY

Unfortunately we are CLOSED TODAY TUES AUG 6, because yesterday's Newsday article brought quite a lot of visitors, for which we are not really set up. While most of these carefully respected our guidelines, there was a lot of traffic and a few parked outside the designated lot. See my responses to the comments below.
WE WILL ALSO BE CLOSED TOMORROW.
In the meantime we will be broadcasting live commented reports from the sanctuary, around 10.30-11.30 am, then around 3.30-4.30 pm, and finally near sunset (7.30-8.30 pm). Please see our webcam link to the right of this post.
We hope to resume limited visiting soon, possibly by private appointment only. Details will be posted on this blog. In the mentime if you have already succeeded in visiting, this year or in the past, we would appreciate that you post your comments here at the blog, to tide us over this difficult period.

The recent photo is by Allen Siegel, and shows a hummer feeding at pink porter weed Stachytarpheta mutabilis. This is a tropical annual that must be overwintered indoors, but is worth the trouble because it's a wonderful hummer magnet. Notice that the bird is perching while he feeds, saving energy. Wherever possible hummers do this.

CLOSED TODAY (MONDAY) and TOMORROW (TUESDAY)

FOR NEWSDAY READERS: CLOSED TODAY (MONDAY) and TOMORROW - too many visitors!

CLOSED TODAY (tues) and TOMORROW. Please check back at the blog to see when we might re-open.

Today's photos are recent ones by (top) Sandra Jantzen and (bottom) Mike Chachkes.

Open this morning (sunday aug 4) 9.30-12.30; Salvia "Waverley"

Open this morning (sunday aug 4) only,  9.30-12.30. We will be open monday am and pm, and probably the remainder of the week (except wed am). YOU VISIT AT YOUR OWN RISK.

Yesterday was an odd day: the morning was rainy and cold with lots of visitors, but the afternoon was beautiful, with hardly any. Hummingbird activity was moderate all day, but really picked up near, and slightly after sunset.

The photo, by Doug Maclean, was taken friday, and shows a bird feeding at the small white blossom of Salvia "Waverly".  These modest white flowers get a lot of attention from hummers. The plant is apparently a hybrid of S. leucantha and S. chiapensis. I stopped growing the former because it blooms rather late, but have a lot of chiapensis, which has small pink-purple flowers. None of these salvias are winter hardy here.

Our Own Webcam! Open Today (Sat) am and pm

YOU VISIT/PARK AT YOUR OWN RISK - steep, bumpy paths and surfaces, decrepit seating etc

The weather is clearing through, and if there is a sprinkle you can shelter in the front cabin.  Though a bit wet, visitors this morning all saw hummingbirds, and some nice chases. 

Inspired by the Maryland webcam we have now added OUR OWN COMMENTED WEBCAM (see links to the right->! You can see (and hear) current conditions at the sanctuary and maybe glimpse a hummingbird. Please note the webcam starts with an ad, which you can skip in just a few seconds. We will experiment with the best position for the camera, which might change. The webcam only broadcasts at announced times - see the current blog post.

We are open today both am (9.30-12.30) and pm (3-5.30). First time visitors should ring the bell!
If the parking area is near full, please limit the length of your stay. Hand-held cameras only please!
We will be open tomorrow (sunday) am only. The weather for the oming week looks good, and we will be open most mornings and afternoons. The definite exception is aug 7 (wed) am, and please always confirm that we are open at the blog on the day you plan to visit.

The photo, by Anthony Chertoff, was taken yesterday. The flower is Salvia involucrata (Rosebay Salvia)  "Mulberry Jam".  Yesterday was a beautiful day, and our visitors ranged in age from 2 to 87! It was a pleasure to see many familiar faces (and even remember a few names), and to see that regular very young visitors are getting taller, but still enjoying nature. I think everyone saw hummingbirds, and at one point we saw 3 chasing each other, but it's still early in the season and fairly quiet.

Open Today (Fri); Sepals Part 1

The weather has cleared through and we will be open today (friday aug 2) both am (9.30-12.30) and pm (3-5.30). All visits at your own risk! Bring your camera (but no tripods please) and if you get a nice picture I will post it at this blog.
The photo above, taken 2 days ago,  is by Maria Smith. The hummingbird is feeding at Salvia guaranitica ("Anise Sage"). This is the true species form, with green sepals (the modified leaves that protect the flower bud and surround the bases of the petals). It's pronounced similarly to petal. The set of sepals is called the calyx. When you look at a bud, you see the sepals hiding the folded petals, when you look at the opened flower you see the petals almost hiding the  encircling calyx.
The most commonly available form of Salvia guaranitica is "Black and Blue", where the sepals are black instead of green, but the petals are the same wonderful intense blue (though oddly enough many people describe this blue as purple). However, I prefer the simpler look of the green-calyx species form, and it grows somewhat taller too, so is more easily reached by hummingbirds. But the most important thing is that both forms are loaded with nectar and are loved by hummers. Both will often survive the winter, especially in protected locations. If you plant these, you will get hummingbirds!
Another excellent plants is the tropical pink porter-weed Stachytarpheta mutabilis, which I got from Long Island Hummingbird Plants. The very recent photo below, by Amy Halpin, shows a hummingbird enjoying pink porter-weed.

Official Opening Today! Webcam!

Visiting and Parking AT YOUR OWN RISK! - steep uneven paths etc

We will be open this morning (thur aug 1) 9.30 to 12.30. First time visitors please examine the directions and info to the right of this post, or at lihummer.org.
We will be open tomorrow fri aug 2 both am or pm. We will open sat am and pm, and sunday am only. We will also be open most of next week.

The above picture was taken a couple of weeks ago at the sanctuary by Jimmy Chiu. The hummingbird is feeding at Crocosmia "Lucifer". While this is not a top hummer plant, because it does not carry as much nectar as stalwarts such as anise or rosebay salvias, the flaming red flowers carried on high stalks above the tall sword-shaped leaves are highly visible in july. It does quite well at the sanctuary.

On the Interesting Websites feature of this blog, to the right -> you will see a link to a wonderful webcam showing activity at feeders in the Catoctin Mountains of Maryland, where Camp David is located. This webcam is maintained by the brother of Lanny Chambers, whose excellent hummingbird website is also listed there. Initially there's an ad, but you can skip that after a short while.