The Baiting Hollow Hummingbird Sanctuary: Open today fri am and pm; Agastache; sunset too!

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, August 17, 2012

Open today fri am and pm; Agastache; sunset too!

We are open today am (9.30-12.30) and pm (3-5.30). We WILL also open for sunset, from 7 to 8 only. We are closed 12.30-3 and 5.30-7.
The photo, by Mike Ronan, shows a hummingbird at Licorice Mint, Agastache rupestris. This is a wonderful perennial agastache (Hyssop) that hummers love and also has the enjoyable scent suggested by its name. It's located in the galvanized tub at the northeast corner of the front (soundfront) deck. Even on this tub and exposed position it survived the admittedly mild window. Brush your hand against the delicate silvery foliage and then sniff!
The commonest perennial agastache, A. foeniculum, Anise Hyssop, with dull violet-blue flowers, is easier to grow but not visited by hummers. You will see them dotted around the sanctuary, as they self-seed.
For the sunset hour, you may bring a bottle of wine but only on condition it be freely shared with all those present - plastic cups provided. No food please!

1 comment:

Dragonlady16August 17, 2012 at 1:45 PM
Ahh, happy hour at sunset with the hummers. I wish I could be there.
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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.