SAN BERNARDINO, December 10, 2016 – On Saturday December 10th, the first bald eagle count of the winter was conducted by local Federal and State biologists and citizen scientists around several lakes in the southern California. Several dozen bald eagles typically spend their winter vacations around southern California’s lakes, adding to a few resident nesting bald eagles that stay year-round.
A total of eleven bald eagles (7 adults and 4 subadults/juveniles) were observed by 101 eagle-eyed observers during the 1-hour count period on Saturday morning. Bald eagles acquire the full white head and tail in their 5th year. Until then, they are have different plumages of brown and white.
Ken Kietzer (Senior Environmental Scientist at Lake Perris State Recreation Area) reported two adult bald eagles observed by 28 people. Fifteen participants watched the pair of adults at Lake Hemet. Kathy Williams from Silverwood State Recreation Area reported that a beautiful outing was had by their 12 eagle counters but, unfortunately no eagles showed up.
Six participants scanned the skies at Lake Arrowhead, spotting two adult bald eagles. Forty participants helped with the census at Big Bear Lake where 5 eagles (1 adult and 4 subadults) were counted.
The count coordinators from the Forest Service and State Recreation Areas would like to thank those participants for their dedication in getting up early and participating in the eagle censuses this winter. The success of the eagle counts is entirely dependent on the citizen scientists!
Please join us for one of the upcoming bald eagle counts for this winter! The annual bald eagle counts for this winter are scheduled for the following Saturday mornings: January 14th, February 11th, and March 11th. No experience is needed. Signing up ahead of time is unnecessary – just show up at the designated time and location, dress warmly, bring binoculars and a watch. Counting eagles is fun, easy, and only takes a couple of hours. Participants meet at 8:00 (or 8:30 for Lake Hemet) for coordination and instructions. They are at their observation sites from 9:00 to 10:00 and then return to turn in the observation forms.
· Big Bear Lake area participants meet at 8:00 a.m. at the Forest Service’s Big Bear Discovery Center on North Shore Drive for orientation. Contact Robin Eliason (reliason@fs.fed.us or 909-382-2832) for more information. Please call 909-382-2832 for cancellation due to winter weather conditions. If the count has to be canceled due to mountain road/winter conditions, an outgoing message will be left by 6:30 am on the morning of the count. Contact the Discovery Center (909-382-2790) for information about Eagle Celebrations. There will also be a free slideshow about bald eagles at 11:00 after the counts.
Lake Arrowhead/Lake Gregory participants meet at 8:00 a.m. at the Skyforest Ranger Station for orientation. Contact Robin Eliason (reliason@fs.fed.us or 909-382-2832) for more information. Please call 909-382-2832 for cancellation due to winter weather conditions. If the count has to be canceled due to mountain road/winter conditions, an outgoing message will be left by 6:30 am on the morning of the count.
Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area participants should plan to meet at the Visitor Center at 8:00 a.m. for orientation. Contact Kathy Williams or Mark Wright for more information about volunteering or taking an eagle tour (760-389-2303 between 8:00 and 4:00; or email: khwilliams@parks.ca.gov).
Lake Hemet participants should plan on meeting at the Lake Hemet Grocery Store at 8:30 a.m. for orientation. Contact Ann Bowers (annbowers@fs.fed.us or 909-382-2935) for more information.
Lake Perris State Recreation Area participants should plan to meet at the Lake Perris Regional Indian Museum at 8:00 for orientation. For more information call Lake Perris SRA at 951-940-5600 or the Lake Perris Regional Indian Museum at 951-940-5657