Published by Raymond Ray
Live webcam will let visitors watch Big Bear’s famous eagle nest
From a US Forest Service Press Release
SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. – One of the most popular organized wildlife
watching activities on the San Bernardino National Forest is back, now in
its 40th year. The annual winter bald eagle counts will be held over the
next four months at five lakes throughout the Inland Empire, including two
managed by California State Parks. The public can put their citizen
scientist hat on and come out to collect data that helps U.S. Forest
Service biologists understand the local wintering bald eagle population.
The program is part of an ongoing long-term monitoring effort that began
in 1978.
“Over the past four decades, we’ve witnessed the bald eagle population
recover from low numbers to a healthy population under the protection from
the Endangered Species Act. Eagles are now doing so well they are no
longer considered an endangered species,” said wildlife biologist Robin
Eliason. “With the help of the public’s continued help, we are able to
track population trends in the forest.”
The first count will be held on the morning of Sat., Dec. 15, aligning
with the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count, followed by three more on
the second Saturdays of the first few months of 2019: Jan. 12, Feb. 9 and
March 9. 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!
Time and location details are as follows:
* Big Bear Lake area volunteers 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<mailto:rel
909-382-2832) 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.
There will also be a free slideshow presentation about bald eagles at 11
a.m. after each count.
* Lake Arrowhead/Lake Gregory area volunteers will meet at 8 a.m.
at the Skyforest Work Center on Hwy 18 for orientation. Contact Robin
Eliason (reliason@fs.fed.us<mailto:rel
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 Silverwood Lake’s Visitor Center 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<mailt
* Lake Hemet volunteers should plan on meeting at the Lake Hemet
Grocery Store at 8:30 a.m. for orientation.
* Lake Perris State Recreation Area volunteers 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<http://friendsofbigbear
this 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<http://www.iws.org/liv
YouTube<https://www.youtube.co
were able to witness the laying and hatching of two chicks.
The webcam monitors a nest on the north shore of Big Bear Lake, where the
annual winter bald eagle closure begins Wed. Dec. 5, lasting through June
21 at the latest. The closure encompasses Grout Bay Picnic Area, Grays
Peak Trail and surrounding national forest areas. No entry, including snow
play on the edges of the area, is allowed. Bald eagles during nesting
season are sensitive to human interference and may abandon nesting
activities if feeling threatened.