The Baiting Hollow Hummingbird Sanctuary: Open Today But Only New Visitors 9.30-12.30 and 3-6

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, August 21, 2011

Open Today But Only New Visitors 9.30-12.30 and 3-6

Despite the iffy weather, we will be open today from 9.30 to 12.30 and 3 to 6 but only to those who have not yet visited this year (unless you bring a carload of hummingbird enthusiasts with you). We are closed 12.30 - 3. Please consult lihummer.org for directions and instructions. Intermittent rain will not deter hummers from feeding, and you can take some shelter under the front porch or in the front cabin overlooking the Sound. Updates will be posted at this blog. We should be open most of next week; details will be posted here.

Yesterday's Audubon and photography groups saw lots of high speed chases in good, humid, conditions. I also installed the new arched bridge over the beech roots at the entrance to the woodland path. At some point I plan to paint it unmistakable Japanese-red!
The photo, by Aram, shows a hummer approaching Salvia uliginosa and S. involucrata (sky-blue bog sage and rosebay sage). The tall delicate bog sage spires are surprisingly resistant to the windy conditions at the blufftop - indeed, in more sheltered conditions they tend to sprawl and flop. When in seed they also attract goldfinches. However, the hummers prefer S. guarantica and S. involucrata.

1 comment:

TeresaAugust 21, 2011 at 8:32 AM
Excellent news! See you later today.
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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.