The Baiting Hollow Hummingbird Sanctuary: The flowers are ready and waiting

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).

Sunday, July 16, 2017

The flowers are ready and waiting

First visits of this season (by confirmed appointment only) at the sanctuary on the afternoon of thursday july 20 (3-5 only), and friday july 21 10-12.30 or 3-5. Many more dates on subsequent days will be announced here on a rolling basis, based on weather etc. However, under the terms of the lawsuit settlement, only 3 days a week and one half weekend day will be available. The sanctuary will permanently close to the public after sept 15.
So far hummingbird activity at the sanctuary is low, and it's probably best to wait until next week or later. But to make an appointment for one of the above 3 slots please email me (paul.adams#stonybrook.edu) the announced date/time would like to visit. Please do not request an appointment for any other time, wait until your preferred time is posted at this blog. I will then send you instructions for visiting, which you should review carefully, letting me know that you agree to the rules, and then I will confirm your appointment. It's a bit of a hassle but I want to ensure that our last opening season is orderly and successful.

Fred welcomes visitors (by confirmed appointment only) at the sanctuary on the afternoon of thursday july 20 (3-5 only), and friday july 21 10-12.30 or 3-5. Many more dates on subsequent days will be announced here on a rolling basis, based on weather etc. However, under the terms of the lawsuit settlement, only 3 days a week and one half weekend day will be available. The sanctuary will permanently close to the public after sept 15.
So far hummingbird activity at the sanctuary is low, and it's probably best to wait until next week or later. But to make an appointment for one of the above 3 slots please email me (paul.adams#stonybrook.edu) the announced date/time would like to visit. Please do not request an appointment for any other time, wait until your preferred time is posted at this blog. I will then send you instructions for visiting, which you should review carefully, letting me know that you agree to the rules, and then I will confirm your appointment. It's a bit of a hassle but I want to ensure that our last opening season is orderly and successful.

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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

Sunday, July 16, 2017

The flowers are ready and waiting

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