Citizen Scientists are needed to help count bald eagles in the annual winter bald eagle counts in and near the San Bernardino and San Jacinto Mountains. Participants in December’s count observed a total of eleven bald eagles. As winter storms hit northern areas and more bald eagles migrate to southern California, the January count will likely include more eagles. Concurrent bald eagle counts are held at Big Bear Lake, Lake Arrowhead, Lake Silverwood, Lake Perris, and Lake Hemet. Some of these sites have held winter counts since 1978!
Counting eagles is fun, easy, and only takes a couple of hours. Participants meet at 8:00 or 8:30 for a brief orientation, coordination, and instructions. Participants are stationed at vantage points around the lakes, where they watch for bald eagles from 9:00 to 10:00 am. During that time, participants record their observations on maps and data sheets. At 10:00, participants return to the meeting location to report their findings. This is a wonderful opportunity to catch a glimpse of our breath-taking national symbol.
A total of four bald eagles were observed during the January counts at Lake Perris, Lake Hemet, and Silverwood Lake. Winter road conditions caused the Big Bear and Lake Arrowhead counts to be canceled. The count on February 11th at Big Bear will depend on if the large snow banks have melted enough to allow vehicles to park safely off of the roads.
The remaining bald eagle counts for this winter are scheduled for the following Saturday mornings: 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. Meeting locations and time are listed below.
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.