The Baiting Hollow Hummingbird Sanctuary: Open today (waiver required) am,pm; Ambulatory Status

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 23, 2013

Open today (waiver required) am,pm; Ambulatory Status

Because of the evolving situation with the Town and neighbors, I need some good legal advice. In the past, because of similar issues, and at considerable expense, I retained the services of the best local law firm and received much useful advice. However, in order to minimize further expense, it would be wonderful if one of my nice visitors might know of (or even be) a lawyer willing to help the sanctuary survive on a reduced or even pro bono basis. Please email me if you have suggestions!

WAIVER UPDATE: all requests made before aug 20 have now been approved. If you requested your waiver after midnight aug 19 please be patient. Note that when your request has been approved you will receive an email that the document is now available to you. If you have requested a waiver but have not yet received sharing permission, please don't re-apply - your request will be processed soon.

We are open today friday aug 23 9.30-12.30 and 3-5.30. However YOU MUST BRING A SIGNED WAIVER: no waivers are issued at the sanctuary, and WITHOUT A WAIVER YOU CANNOT VISIT. Please no repeat visits this year. You must be able to walk well and safely follow the narrow, hilly, uneven Woodland Path starting at the yellow minibridge. DO NOT ENTER VIA either the dirt or blacktopped driveway. Please note that waivers are currently being rationed; if you have requested a waiver approval will arrive soon. If you have any difficulty walking, please contact me about a private visit.

Please consider parking in the Sound Ave Preserve lot just east of the entrance from Sound Ave to Terry Farm Rd, and walking the pleasant 0.5 miles up to the sanctuary. This will provide parking space for others in the sanctuary lot, and will allow you stay as long as you like. If you park in the sanctuary lot and see that we are busy, please limit your visit to a 1/2 hour.

In the past we have directed visitors who are good walkers to the Woodland Path unless they have difficulty walking. However, on a temporary basis we are now directing ALL VISITORS to the Woodland Path, regardless of their "ambulatory status". This path is narrow, steep, uneven and can be slippery; do not visit if you have any doubt about your ability to walk this path safely.

Today's photo was taken recently by Grover Whitehurst. The hummer is approaching "Mulberry Jam" salvia, a favorite.

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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

Friday, August 23, 2013

Open today (waiver required) am,pm; Ambulatory Status

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