EagleEyed Volunteers Counted Four Bald Eagles in Inland Empire

SAN BERNARDINO >> On Saturday Jan. 14, the second bald eagle count of the winter was conducted by local Federal and State biologists and citizen scientists around several lakes in 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 four bald eagles, all adults, were observed by 62 eagle-eyed observers during the 1-hour count period on the morning of Jan. 14. Bald eagles acquire the full white head and tail in their 5th year. Until then, they have different plumages of brown and white. The number of eagles was low because two sites, Big Bear and Lake Arrowhead, were not able to hold their counts due to winter snow and road conditions. Ken Kietzer, Senior Environmental Scientist at Lake Perris State Recreation Area, reported one adult bald eagle observed by 33 people. Seven participants watched a pair of adult eagles at Lake Hemet. Kathy Williams from Silverwood State Recreation Area reported that a beautiful outing was had by their 22 eagle counters who were thrilled to see one adult bald eagle. The censuses at Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear Lake were cancelled due to the storm that dumped up to a foot and half of snow, limiting safe and legal parking areas for participants. However, residents at Lake Arrowhead had been reliably seeing one pair of adult eagles and it is likely that those eagles continue to be there. Birders in Big Bear Lake had been observing and photographing at least three sub-adults and two adult eagles in the days before and after the day's count. For the past couple of weeks, a bald eagle with orange wing tags numbered 55 has been present at Big Bear Lake. The eagle is a sub-adult female named Sammy that hatched on Catalina Island in 2015. 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 next bald eagle counts for this winter are scheduled for Feb. 11 and March 11. No experience is needed and participants can show up at the designated time and location, dress warmly, bring binoculars and a watch. Participants meet at 8 a.m., or 8:30 a.m. for Lake Hemet, for coordination and instructions. Observation sites include Big Bear Lake, Lake Arrowhead/Lake Gregory, Silverwood Lake State Recreation, Lake Hemet and Lake Perris State Recreation.