The Baiting Hollow Hummingbird Sanctuary: Fireworks! Coral in slo mo

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).

Monday, July 7, 2014

Fireworks! Coral in slo mo

The fifth of july fireworks on the beach in front of the front cottage "SeaGull Lodge" here at the sanctuary were as usual, spectacular. Here's just a glimpse, more video to follow.

Meanwhile hummer activity is definitely starting to pick up a bit. While I sat with my lawyer Lynn in the lower garden this morning near the bluff (very nice lady, with whom I feel both comfortable and impressed) discussing the legal issues, a hummer showed up several times. Here's a slo-mo film of (I think) Coral feeding at one of the feeders we watched (taken yesterday, not during our legal conference!) Note how she sweeps her wings in a figure eight pattern. Notice also that during her snack several large bubbles float up in the nectar reservoir, showing that she's consuming significant quantities of liquid. Bees often feed at the feeders too, but one never sees bubbles, because the amount they consume is insignificant. Nevertheless whenever I see a bee on a feeder I always give it a good pinch, to scare it away (and sometimes I confess it gets squashed - so far this year no stings. Hummers are very wary when bees are at their feeder.

I'll write more about Lynn's visit tomorrow.

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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

Monday, July 7, 2014

Fireworks! Coral in slo mo

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