The Baiting Hollow Hummingbird Sanctuary: Open This Morning (Aug 8), with Conditions

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).

Thursday, August 8, 2013

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.

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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

Thursday, August 8, 2013

Open This Morning (Aug 8), with Conditions

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