Several Bald Eagles Spotted Around Inland Empire on Valentine's Day

IMAGE: Mirissa Rings caught this beautiful shot of a juvenile bald eagle at Big Bear Lake. CREDIT: Mirissa Rings

The following was submitted for publication by the U.S. Forest Service:

On Saturday February 14th, the third bald eagle count of the winter was conducted by volunteer citizen biologists and local Federal and State biologists around several lakes in the southern California. A number of bald eagles migrate to southern California to spend their winter vacations around southern California’s lakes. They migrate here because their prey animals (fish and ducks) are no longer available to them in the cold northern regions as ice covers the lakes and rivers.

At total of 17 bald eagles were observed at six different lakes in Southern California’s Inland Empire and mountains: Lake Silverwood - 1 adult and 1 young bald eagle; Lake Gregory - 1 adult; Lake Arrowhead - 2 adult eagles and 2 young eagles; Lake Hemet - 2 adult eagles; and Big Bear Lake - 2 adults and 6 juvenile bald eagles. Juvenile bald eagles are the same size as the adults but are more similar to golden eagles in their appearance. They do not acquire the white head and tail until about 4-5 years of age.

The turnout of volunteers on this Valentine’s Day was amazing. Approximately 275 volunteers and agency staff participated in the eagle search! The weather was perfect. As Kathy Williams from Silverwood State Recreation Area noted “it was a beautiful day for birding.” Almost all of the participants were lucky enough to see at least one bald eagle today.

The count coordinators from the Forest Service and State Recreation Areas would like to thank those volunteers for their dedication in getting up early and participating in the eagle census. The success of the eagle counts is entirely dependent on the volunteers!

Please join us on this fun family-friendly experience – it is a special opportunity to see our beautiful and amazing national bird! The last bald eagle count for this winter is scheduled for Saturday March 14th. No experience needed. Signing up ahead of time is unnecessary – just show up at the designated time and location, dress warmly, bring binoculars and a watch.

• Big Bear Lake area volunteers will meet at 8:00 a.m. at the Forest Service’s Big Bear Discovery Center on North Shore Drive for orientation. Contact Rari Marks (rariemarks@fs.fed.us or 909-382-2600 x4022) for more information. Please call 909-382-2832 for cancellation due to winter weather conditions – an outgoing message will be left by 6:30 am on the morning of the count if it has to be cancelled. Contact the Discovery Center (909-382-2790) for information about Eagle Celebrations. There will also be a free slideshow about bald eagles at11:00 after the count.
• Lake Arrowhead/Lake Gregory volunteers will meet at 8:00 a.m. at the Skyforest Ranger Station for orientation. Contact Rari Marks (rariemarks@fs.fed.us or 909-382-2600 x4022) for more information. Please call 909-382-2832 for cancellation due to winter weather conditions – an outgoing message will be left by 6:30 am on the morning of the count if it has to be cancelled.
• Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area volunteers 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 volunteers should plan on meeting at the Lake Hemet Grocery Store at 8:30 a.m. for orientation. Contact Heidi Hoggan (hhoggan@fs.fed.us or 909-382-2945) for more information.
• Lake Perris State Recreation Area volunteers should plan to meet at the Lake Perris Regional Indian Museum at 8:00 for orientation. Contact the office for more information at 951-940-5600.

See websites for additional information about the San Bernardino National Forest (http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/sanbernardino/) and the California State Recreation Areas (www.parks.ca.gov).