On Saturday January 8th, the second bald eagle count of the winter was conducted by local Federal and State biologists and volunteers around lakes in the San Bernardino and San Jacinto Mountains. This marks the 32nd year that the San Bernardino National Forest has organized monthly winter bald eagle counts! Clear skies and cool temperatures provided optimal conditions for volunteers hoping to observe one of our magnificent national birds. The effort was successful in tallying the bald eagles spending their winter vacations at local mountain lakes.
A grand total of 11 eagles (7 adults, 4 juveniles) were observed at the lake areas during the 1- hour count. Five eagles (3 adults, 2 juveniles) were observed in the Big Bear/Baldwin Lake area. One adult eagle at Lake Arrowhead, one juvenile at Lake Gregory, and three eagles (2 adults, 1 juvenile) at Silverwood Lake were observed during the one hour census. While no eagles were observed at Lake Hemet during the count, one adult was observed at Lake Perris. Juvenile eagles are distinguished by a brown head and tail; adults are recognized by the famous white head and tail - it takes 4-5 years to acquire full adult coloration. Juvenile eagles are the same size as the adults.
Approximately 166 volunteers participated in the 1-hour eagle census (57 at Big Bear area, 20 at Lake Arrowhead/Lake Gregory, 8 at Lake Hemet, 50 at Silverwood Lake, and 31 at Lake Perris). The Forest Service and State Recreation Area biologists would like to thank those volunteers for their participation!
There are two remaining Eagle counts for this winter, scheduled for the following Saturday mornings: February 12, and March 12. Mark your calendars now.
No experience needed. Volunteers should dress warmly and bring binoculars and a watch.
• Big Bear Lake area volunteers will meet at 8:00 a.m. at the Big Bear Discovery Center on North Shore Drive. Contact Marc Stamer at 909-382-2828 for more information.
• Lake Arrowhead/Lake Gregory volunteers will meet at 8:00 a.m. at the Sky Forest Ranger Station. Contact Marc Stamer, Wildlife Biologist, at 909-382-2828 for more information.
• Silverwood Lake State Park volunteers should contact the park office for information during business hours of 8:00 am to 4:00 pm at 760-389-2281, and plan to meet at the Visitor Center at 8:00 a.m.
• Lake Hemet volunteers should plan on meeting at the Lake Hemet Grocery Store at 8:30 a.m. for instructions. Contact Ann Poopatanapong at 909-382-2935 for more information.
• Lake Perris State Park volunteers should contact the park office for information at 951-940-5600, and plan to meet at the Lake Perris Regional Indian Museum.
For additional information about the San Bernardino National Forest, please visit: http://www.fs.usda.gov/sbnf
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Background
The U.S. Forest Service and State Recreation Area biologists have coordinated counts of this federally-protected species since 1978. Data from our local count will be added to the nation-wide Mid-Winter Bald Eagle census to assess recovery status of the species. We rely on volunteers to gather information during the monthly winter eagle counts. Counts are conducted for a 1-hour period from 9-10 a.m. Forest Service volunteers stationed around lakes in Big Bear, Arrowhead, and Idyllwild record all observations of bald eagles. Volunteers at Silverwood Lake and Lake Perris State Recreation Areas conduct simultaneous counts.
Bald eagles are similar to many southern Californians in that they visit the lakes of our San Bernardino and San Jacinto Mountains for their winter vacations between November and April. Instead of vacationing here for dynamite skiing, eagles come for the plentiful food supplies. As lakes and rivers up north freeze each winter, fish become unavailable under a thick layer of ice and ducks leave the frozen waters. The eagles' "grocery stores" have essentially closed for the winter. So eagles fly south looking for open water stocked with food. The lakes of the San Bernardino and San Jacinto Mountains fit the bill perfectly--they are part of the Pacific Migratory Flyway, a migration freeway for millions of ducks. Eagles like to spend their winters here because of the abundant and tasty ducks and fish.
Our bald eagles normally migrate out of the San Bernardino and San Jacinto Mountains in late March, heading back to summer homes in Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, and Alberta, Canada. In recent years, a pair of bald eagles has remained at Lake Hemet and successfully produced several eaglets.
Catching a glimpse of our breath-taking national bird is relatively easy during the winter months. There are also some fantastic opportunities for excellent close-up photography. Just look in the tallest trees around the lakeshore. Or, if the lake is partially frozen, look for eagles perched on the ice near small groups of ducks using open water pockets.
Remember that human presence may distract or disturb the eagles--so, try to limit your movements and don't make loud noises when nearby. If possible, remain in your car while observing eagles--the car acts as a blind.
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