The Baiting Hollow Hummingbird Sanctuary: Visiting Reminders; rosebud sage 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).

Thursday, July 31, 2014

Visiting Reminders; rosebud sage slo mo

Because of the ongoing lawsuit by some of my neighbors, as well as actions by the Town of Riverhead, it's particularly important this august to carefully abide by all the procedures and rules for visits. I wish I could keep it simpler but the US is an extremely litigious place (one of the reasons our healthcare costs are so high compared to other countries, and why there are so many lawyers (per capita 37 times the number as Japan!)
So here are some important ground rules.

1. NO VISITING WITHOUT AN APPOINTMENT AND A SIGNED CURRENT WAIVER. Unfortunately the waiver some of you signed last year is no longer valid; without a current appointment and waiver any attempted visit is TRESPASS.

2. PARK ONLY IN THE DESIGNATED LOT, marked with a large sign "Hummingbird Sanctuary Parking". Do not park anywhere along the length of Terry Farm Road, and above all do not enter any property off Terry Farm Road other than the sanctuary itself (which starts where Terry Farm Road becomes "Hummingbird Way"). Carefully follow the instructions I send with the confirmation of your appointment.

3. Please wear proper walking shoes, not flipflops or light sandals. There are many steep narrow uneven paths with loose pebbles and roots. This is a nature sanctuary not the mall! If you have an appointment but are not a good walker please contact me by email prior to your visit. If you hesitate to go anywhere, please do not go there!

4. The lower garden areas are suitable only for the very fit. These areas are not part of the sanctuary proper, but the garden flowers there do attract hummingbirds. Please ask for permission before descending to these areas.

5. Please respect all signs and do not cross ropes or enter "no go" areas.

6. Do not bring tripods. Photography groups can make a private arrangement to visit with long lenses. But handheld cameras are very welcome, and we will publish the best of your sanctuary photos if you send them to us. No bathroom access.

7. If rain threatens for your appointment, please still try to come: rain will not deter hummers, and you can observe them from shelter. If you do not come to your appointment, you will have to compete with others for a new one.

8. Remember that both my neighbors and the Town of Riverhead want to close down the sanctuary. I believe what I do is legal, safe, quiet, and morally valuable. Please cooperate in helping me continue. Sign the petition.

Here's a recent new video: feeding at rosebud salvia, 4X slo mo.

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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, July 31, 2014

Visiting Reminders; rosebud sage slo mo

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