This is the 35th year bald eagle counts are being held in the San Bernardino and San Jacinto mountains. Counts are held at Big Bear Lake, Lake Arrowhead, Lake Silverwood, Lake Perris and Lake Hemet. Volunteers are stationed at various vantage points around the lakes to watch for eagles. The counts are for one hour, and watchers record their findings on maps and observation data sheets. The U. S. Forest Service volunteer eagle counts get underway Dec. 21.
Brief orientations are offered prior to the count to show volunteers where to go and what to do. “Through this method, the agencies and land managers have learned a lot about which areas are important to eagles and how the populations are doing,” said Robin Eliason, Forest Service biologist. “But we can’t do it without a lot of volunteers. We need their eyes to help us look.”
Bald eagle counts are scheduled for Saturday mornings in December through March, weather permitting. Experience is not necessary. Just show up at the designated time and location, dress warmly, bring binoculars and a watch. Contact Drew Farr at dpfarr@fs.fed.us or call (909) 382-2816 for more information. In the event of inclement weather, call 909-382-2832 the morning of the count for cancellation notification. If the count has to be cancelled, an outgoing message is posted by 6:30 a. m.
Volunteers meet at the Big Bear Discovery Center at 8 a.m. for orientation and the count begins at 9 a.m. The Big Bear Discovery Center is located at 40971 North Shore Drive, Fawnskin.
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