Days before the last bald eagle count event of the season, one of Big Bear’s wintering eagles laid an egg live on camera this afternoon. U.S. Forest Service biologists were on the lookout for this moment since the nesting pair has been displaying mating behavior for over a month.
“Now, for the next 35 or so days, we will see the parents share incubation duties,” said Forest Service biologist Robin Eliason. “This regulates the temperature of the egg so the embryo can develop. If all goes well, we should see a hatchling in around April 10. And if things go like last year, we may see a second egg laid later this week!”
The nesting area, which is on the north side of Big Bear Lake in the Fawnskin neighborhood, is currently closed to the public. No hiking, snow play or other activities are allowed in the closure zone. Bald eagles during nesting season are sensitive to human interference and may abandon the nest if feeling threatened. Law enforcement officers have made a presence in the area and will continue to throughout the season.
Luckily, visitors may see a bald eagle this Saturday morning, March 9, at the last winter bald eagle count of the season, an annual event now in its 40th year that takes place at five Inland Empire lakes, including Big Bear. The event allows the public to put their citizen scientist hat on and collect data that helps U.S. Forest Service biologists understand the local wintering bald eagle population.
No reservations are needed; just show up at a designated location at the start time with binoculars and a way to keep time. And don’t forget to dress for winter weather and bring chains if driving to a mountain location!
Time and location details are as follows:
· Big Bear Lake area participants will meet at 8 a.m. at the Big Bear Discovery Center on North Shore Drive (Hwy 38) for orientation. Contact Robin Eliason (reliason@fs.fed.us or 909-382-2832) for more information. Please call 909-382-2832 for cancelation due to winter weather conditions – an outgoing message will be left no later than 6:00 am on Saturday morning if it has to be canceled due to weather and road conditions. There will also be a free slideshow presentation about bald eagles at 11 a.m. after the count.
· Lake Arrowhead/Lake Gregory area participants will meet at 8 a.m. at the Skyforest Work Center on Hwy 18 for orientation. Contact Robin Eliason (reliason@fs.fed.us or 909-382-2832) for more information. Please call 909-382-2832 for cancelation due to winter weather conditions – an outgoing message will be no later than 6:00 am on Saturday morning if it has to be canceled due to weather and road conditions.
· Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area participants should plan to meet at the Silverwood Lake’s park office on Cleghorn Rd. (west of Highway 138) at 8 a.m. for orientation. Contact Mark Wright for more information about volunteering or taking an eagle tour (760-389-2303 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.; or email: mark.wright@parks.ca.gov).
· Lake Hemet participants should plan on meeting at the Lake Hemet Grocery Store at 8:30 a.m. for orientation. NOTE: Highway 74 from Hemet and Highway 243 from Banning are currently closed due to storm damage. Participants must use Highway 74 from Anza or Palm Desert.
· Lake Perris State Recreation Area participants should plan to meet at the Lake Perris Regional Indian Museum at 8 a.m. for orientation. For more information call Lake Perris SRA at 951-940-5600 or the Lake Perris Regional Indian Museum at 951-940-5657.
Those who can’t make the counts can still try to see bald eagles around our local lakes this winter. Contact the Big Bear Discovery Center (909-382-2790) or the Idyllwild Ranger Station (909-382-2921) for eagle watching tips and etiquette on the San Bernardino National Forest.
And for eagle viewing any time of the day, the live feed of the bald eagle nest is back! Through a partnership with the Friends of the Big Bear Valley, a new camera was installed last summer, offering a higher resolution feed, better zooming and a nearly 360-degree panning option. It can be viewed at the Institute for Wildlife Studies’ website or on YouTube.