MAN SEARCHES FOR RARE BIRD

Local bird watcher searches lakefront for Western Grebe

Century Park, located on Lake Erie in the city of Lorain, was the site where a local bird watcher was attempting to spot a rare bird.

Tim Colborn, a North Olmsted resident, traveled to the park on East Erie Avenue on May 1, equipped with binoculars, in hopes of spotting a bird that is rare to Ohio.

“I heard that a rare bird was spotted on the lakefront yesterday and came to see for myself,” Colborn said. “There is always the increase in interest during the migrations that occur this time of year, and this is a prime example of that.”

Colborn said the bird spotted was a Western Grebe.

“The bird is a large one and is almost duck-like in appearance,” he said. “They also have long necks and a distinct black and white color pattern.

“We do not see them here very often. As their name suggests, they are more commonly found in the western parts of the country. Its migration path brought it here and that is when the bird watchers take advantage.”

Colborn said birds, like the Western Grebe, are referred to as vagrants.

"I heard that a rare bird was spotted on the lake front yesterday and came to see for myself."

— Tim Colborn of North Olmsted

“During the move to their original home, a weather disturbance or anything that changes their normal behavior, causes them

to touch down here for awhile,” he said. “Their patterns are typical and bird watchers aren’t always a 100 percent sure about these birds’ patterns.

“But we can pretty accurately predict when we might see some rare ones.”

Colborn said his love of

bird watching comes from a sense of exploration.

“You never know what you might see out here,” he said. “Birds are fascinating creatures. You could be watching them for a lifetime and still learn something new.

“Not to mention the fact

that it is a hobby that takes you outside to get some fresh air. You get to see all these interesting landscapes and the birds that reside in them.”

Colborn said bird watching is on the rise.

“A misconception of the hobby is there are only a few of us,” he said. “The hobby has actually grown at a good rate over the past 20 years. It has changed a lot with technology.

“We use social media and other tools to post when and where we see something. The bird watching community is a great one that looks for the latest birds and shares the discovery with everyone. It is really a fun time and I encourage others to give it a shot.”

Unfortunately, Colborn did not see the Western Grebe before a reporter left the park.

ERIC BONZAR — THE MORNING JOURNAL Tim Colborn, 57, of North Olmsted, spent the morning of May 1, bird watching at Lorain’s Century Park.

ERIC BONZAR — THE MORNING JOURNAL Colborn was on the lookout for a Western Grebe on May 1 1, at Lorain’s Century Park.