Re: [cobirds] Calliope HB’s

Re: [cobirds] Calliope HB’s

They should start passing through Colorado mid-July and will dissappear around mid-September with outliers on either end. I may have seen one in Erie (SW Weld) on July 8 a few days ago, but didn't have any bins or camera with me so wasn't confident enough in the id to report it, and I haven't detected one since. Looking at prior years July 20 is the earliest I've had one, but would expect you might get them earlier than me. They love to hang out in my yard in the fall at the hummingbird trumpets and sunset hyssop I planted a few years ago -- they prefer those much more over the humming bird feeders.

In ebird on a species account you can set a region and it will show the monthly bar chart, which it looks like your little dude is right on time for early birds coming through-- which this has been an early sort of year for a lot of things it would seem. https://ebird.org/species/calhum/US-CO

Ebird also has a really cool status and trends that depicts week by week distribution and you can animate it.

https://science.ebird.org/en/status-and-trends/species/calhum/abundance-map-weekly?week=28

-Jeff

Erie, CO 

On Wed, Jul 15, 2026, 4:53 AM Peter Hark <birdmanhark@gmail.com> wrote:

Summit County, 9 miles north of Silverthorn.

We had a male Calliope Hummer at the feeder on the 7th of this month.  Just here for a day.
I was wondering if anyone could shed some light for me on fall migration time lines.  Is this a typical time period for male Calliope migration for this area?

Thanks,

Peter Hark




Sent from my iPhone

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[cobirds] Hugh

The birding community needs to lower a flag to half mast in honor of Hugh. Hugh inspired so many of us to pick up the binoculars and head out to the field to enjoy birdwatching. I was one of those who became motivated by Hugh.

For a state to conduct a Breeding Bird Atlas normally takes huge amounts government money.  Hugh approached the powers-that-be in Colorado and was turned down. He was not deterred and all most single-handedly organized a committee, raised the funds, and Colorado’s first Breeding Bird Atlas was launched. Not only was it a scientific success, but all who participated had never had so much birding fun.

 

Hugh’s skills were not just restricted to birds, he was also a brilliant match maker, introducing me to my wife Sandy.  We’ve now been married for 43 years. Thanks again, Hugh. You will be greatly missed.

Bob Righter

Denver, CO

[cobirds] Calliope HB’s

Summit County, 9 miles north of Silverthorn. We had a male Calliope Hummer at the feeder on the 7th of this month. Just here for a day. I was wondering if anyone could shed some light for me on fall migration time lines. Is this a typical time period for male Calliope migration for this area? Thanks, Peter Hark Sent from my iPhone -- -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds * All posts should be signed with the poster's full name and city. Include bird species and location in the subject line when appropriate. * Join Colorado Field Ornithologists https://cobirds.org/membership/ --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to cobirds+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com. To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/C9499B08-B522-4F4E-85B5-75C1F0D9B037%40gmail.com.

[cobirds] Re: Hugh Kingery and the end of an era

Hugh was always an inspiration and had an enthusiasm for birds that was contagious. When I first moved to the state in 1982, Hugh would call (back pre technology) and we would visit about the birds reported in the San Luis valley. We could talk for a long time.  He was always inclusive, even to a new kid on the block. His legacy is great and I will always appreciate him for the kind and enthusiastic person he was. 

John Rawinski

Monte Vista, CO

On Sunday, July 12, 2026 at 8:41:26 PM UTC-6 Andrews Robert wrote:

Hello all,

Today I received the sad news from Urling Kingery that Hugh Kingery died Saturday afternoon. Urling and one of his daughters was at the house when it happened. There are no specific plans at present for a memorial, but details will be sent out at the appropriate time. I am sending out this information on behalf of Urling and at her request. Truly the end of a era in Colorado birding; a great figure will be missed.

Bob Andrews

Yekepa, Liberia, West Africa

Currently in Centennial, Arapahoe Co.

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Re: [cobirds] Hugh Kingery and the end of an era

Hugh was an incredibly kind and generous person.  Thanks to him my micromount minerals have a home:  he gave me the map cases with their flat drawers (they held the paper copies of the 7 1/2” quads for Colorado) for me to use to house my small mineral clusters!   I made a donation to DFO, but I’m sure it wasn’t nearly as much as the map cases were worth.

Paula Hansley

Louisville 

On Sun, Jul 12, 2026 at 8:41 PM 'Andrews Robert' via Colorado Birds <cobirds@googlegroups.com> wrote:

Hello all,

Today I received the sad news from Urling Kingery that Hugh Kingery died Saturday afternoon. Urling and one of his daughters was at the house when it happened. There are no specific plans at present for a memorial, but details will be sent out at the appropriate time. I am sending out this information on behalf of Urling and at her request. Truly the end of a era in Colorado birding; a great figure will be missed.

Bob Andrews

Yekepa, Liberia, West Africa

Currently in Centennial, Arapahoe Co.

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[cobirds] Osprey Nesting Updates

I wrote a pretty strong post to the local social media groups today about the shenanigans that happened the night of the 4th. The men firing off the fireworks started an hour before dark and didn't finish until after midnight. By the time they were through, hundreds of Cliff swallow nests were abandoned leaving nestling and young fledglings behind to die. The noise also scared the Ospreys so much that they abandoned their eggs and now only show up once or maybe twice a day to the platform. I havent' seen the female in days, only the male. Oh, and yes, I know that they laid eggs very late in the season and the chance that they would have successfully raised a brood, was slim, but still.

I probably was just wasting my time and will get a lot of nasty feedback, but I am honestly angry. I didn't post sooner because I've had out of state company and didn't get down to the Cliff Swallow nests to see what happened there until today. I also needed to calm down, and having family visiting helped. 

Pauli Smith

Highlandlake/Mead, Weld County, CO

Warning: Rant Ahead.

I'm angry, and I think I have every right to be.

To the boys—and yes, some grown men—who decided illegal fireworks at Highland Lake on the Fourth of July were worth the thrill: your few minutes of entertainment came with consequences.

Your fireworks terrified the pair of Ospreys nesting at the lake. They abandoned their nest, leaving eggs that will never hatch. Those potential chicks are gone because someone decided the rules didn't apply to them.

It didn't stop there.

The explosions also sent hundreds of Cliff Swallow nestlings, fledglings, and their parents into panic beneath the fishing pier, where they were trying to raise their young. Wildlife doesn't understand that the noise will eventually stop. They only know that a predator—or what sounds like one—has arrived, and their instinct is to flee.

Watching those Ospreys successfully accept and adopt my new nesting platform has been one of the highlights of living in Highlandlake. Seeing this nesting season end because of someone's reckless choices is heartbreaking.

I understand that people want to celebrate. I understand that kids like excitement. But celebrating should never come at the expense of living creatures or the law.

This wasn't simply inconsiderate. It wasn't just a violation of Mead's fireworks restrictions or Weld County regulations.

I spoke with Colorado Parks and Wildlife after the incident. They confirmed that Ospreys and Cliff Swallows are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Disturbing protected nesting birds during the breeding season is exactly the kind of conduct these federal wildlife laws are intended to prevent.

Have all the fun you want—but do it legally. Don't endanger your neighbors, don't ignore the rules that are in place to protect our community, and don't destroy wildlife that cannot defend itself.

Freedom has always come with responsibility. Respect for our community includes respect for the creatures that share it.

This wasn't harmless fun.

It was preventable. It was unnecessary. And for the Ospreys and Cliff Swallows that were simply trying to raise their young, the consequences were permanent.

Broken hearted,

The Crabby Old Woman of Highlandlake