The Baiting Hollow Hummingbird Sanctuary: Bee Balm; Volunteers?

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).

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Bee Balm; Volunteers?

The beautiful image below was taken by Melissa Hahn at her hummingbird garden in a wooded part of Wading River. She has a male hummingbird patrolling her yard, and visits from a couple of females. She also has an excellent camera, which she knows how to use! In the picture the male is feeding at bee balm, an excellent hummingbird plants. However, for some reason (too dry?) is does not do well at the sanctuary. Maybe I should try again.

I appear to have at least 2 juveniles, who are vying over the flowers in front of the front cabin, and an adult male, who seems to have ceded that area to them, and often perches near the rear cabin. And it's still very early in the season!

Several kind people have volunteered to help with feeders and watering, but because there's always lots to do, I'm hoping for a few more volunteers (if you have never visited before you would need to come out here in the next few days to see what's involved). Please email me (paul.adamsATstonybrook.edu) if you would like to help.

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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

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Bee Balm; Volunteers?

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