American Bald Eagle Count Now Up to Nine for the Big Bear Valley

Big Bear Valley, CA — Twenty-seven volunteers joined U.S. Forest Service biologists at the Big Bear Discovery Center on Saturday morning, to participate in this season’s third American bald eagle count for areas that included Big Bear Lake and Baldwin Lake. During the one-hour count on the 13th, nine eagles were spotted in the Big Bear Valley and, of those, four were adults, and five juveniles (as indicated by their brown coloring, though juveniles are the same size as adult eagles). The San Bernardino National Forest’s February eagle count is part of the mid-winter bald eagle census, conducted since 1978 to determine the number of eagles wintering near lakes in the San Bernardino and San Jacinto Mountains. As of this week, a total of 15 eagles (including the nine in our area) were spotted in the San Bernardino National Forest’s survey area, which also includes Lake Arrowhead, Lake Gregory, Silverwood Lake and Lake Hemet. Eagles winter in these areas, as they are within the Pacific Migratory Flyway, bringing millions of ducks which, along with fish, are food for the eagles. If you want to observe one of the nine eagles here in the Big Bear Valley, Forest Service biologists suggest looking in the tallest trees around the lakeshore or, when the lake is partially frozen (as it is now), look for eagles perched on the ice near small groups of ducks using open water pockets. December and January counts for our area indicated four and six eagles; highest counts for February were in 1979, when 27 were spotted in our area, and 1981, when there were 25. The next local eagle count will take place on Saturday, March 13.

Six American Bald Eagles Now Spotted in the Big Bear Valley, Per U.S. Forest Service Count

The eagles have landed here in the Big Bear Valley—in fact, another two were spotted in the areas surrounding Big Bear Lake and Baldwin Lake since the U.S. Forest Service count in December. As of this weekend’s American bald eagle census count for our area, six eagles (three adults and three juveniles) were counted by biologists with the San Bernardino National Forest and 33 volunteers in the Big Bear Valley. In the overall San Bernardino National Forest count on January 9, 14 eagles were spotted in areas that include Big Bear, Lake Arrowhead, Lake Hemet and Silverwood Lake, thanks to the contributions of over 80 volunteers; the next Saturday morning count is scheduled for February 13. Eagles tend to winter in our area between November and April, and can generally be spotted in the tallest trees around the lakeshore, or perched on the lake ice near small groups of ducks.

Volunteers Welcome to Participate in Forest Service Eagle Count This Saturday

Those interested in enjoying the great outdoors, while also being productive, may want to join the Forest Service for this Saturday’s eagle count, which takes place both in the Baldwin Lake area and along the shoreline of Big Bear Lake. The ongoing American bald eagle census, which is now in its 31st year, included 26 volunteers in the Big Bear Valley during the December count, which amounted to four eagles spotted here, in addition to another six in surrounding lakes of the San Bernardino National Forest area, including Lake Arrowhead, Silverwood Lake and Lake Hemet. To participate in Saturday’s one-hour count at 9am, volunteers need not have experience—just bring binoculars, pen and a watch, and dress warmly. The eagle count will begin with an 8am orientation at the Big Bear Discovery Center, and volunteers can expect to be done around 10am. For more information, contact Forest Service Biologist Marc Stamer at the Big Bear Ranger Station at 382-2828. Subsequent counts will be held on February 13 and March 13.

Forest Service Counts Four American Bald Eagles in the Big Bear Valley

American bald eagles winter here in the Big Bear Valley, given our location along the Pacific Migratory Flyway and the millions of ducks (which are food for the eagles), which pass through the San Bernardino mountains. In order to track the eagles, the U.S. Forest Service has conducted winter counts since 1978 and, as of this month’s one-hour eagle census in this, the program’s 31st year, four eagles were observed in the Big Bear Lake and Baldwin Lake areas. Of these, three were adult eagles (as indicated by the white head and tail) and one was a juvenile (given its brown head and tail); Forest Service biologists note that, for young eagles, it usually takes four to five years to acquire full adult coloration. Eagles tend to stay near Big Bear Lake and surrounding areas—including Lake Arrowhead, Lake Hemet and Silverwood Lake—through late March, before returning to summer homes in Montana, Wyoming, Idaho and Alberta, Canada. If you’d like to see an American bald eagle, experts recommend looking in the tallest trees near the lakeshore and, when the lake is partially frozen (as it is now), eagles can be viewed perching on the ice near small groups of ducks using open water pockets; it is also best to limit movements and noise while watching the eagles, so biologists suggest doing so from a vehicle. Volunteers are welcome to join San Bernardino National Forest biologists for future eagle counts, which will take place on Saturday mornings: January 9, February 13 and March 13. As of last winter season, the Forest Service’s final eagle count indicated that five had wintered here at Big Bear and Baldwin Lakes while, back in the 1983/84 season, as many as 28 eagles were spotted in the Big Bear Valley.

Boat Launch Ramps Closed for Season to Allow for American Bald Eagle Habitat

December is for the birds—at least insomuch as the Municipal Water District’s boat launch ramps are concerned. As of today, December 1, and through March 31, both the Carol Morrison East Boat Launch Ramp, on the North Shore at Stanfield Cutoff, and the Duane Boyer West Boat Launch Ramp, just west of Fawnskin, on Big Bear Lake are closed to boats and vehicles, per an agreement with the U.S. Forest Service, which designates these areas as a sensitive eagle habitat. During the winter months, American Bald Eagles come to Big Bear, as lakes within the San Bernardino and San Jacinto mountains are along the Pacific Migratory Flyway for millions of ducks, which are food for the eagles. The U.S. Forest Service conducts eagle counts in the Big Bear Valley during the winter months, as they have done since 1978, and last winter season’s final count resulted in five eagles for our area. In the 1983/84 season, as many as 28 eagles were spotted in the Big Bear Lake and Baldwin Lake areas.

Two Fishing Tournament Permits Approved by MWD, as Well as Plans for Peninsula Recontouring Project and Office for Boat Ramp

There are two fishing events planned for Big Bear Lake in May, as the Board of Directors of the Big Bear Municipal Water District granted event permits for both at their meeting of March 19. That said, fisherman can look forward to the 27th annual Jim Hall Memorial Trout Classic on May 16 & 17 and the Big Bear Lake Resort Association’s Fishin’ for 50K Trout Derby to follow Memorial Day weekend on May 30 and 31. In other news from the MWD meeting on Thursday, Trinity Construction of Blue Jay was awarded the bid to construct an office building at the Carol Morrison East Public Launch Ramp, though construction will not begin prior to April 1, as that area is protected as a bald eagle habitat until that time. The MWD Board also approved a consultant agreement with Moffatt & Nichol Engineers, for design and engineering work for the Big Bear Marina dredge project, which would bolster the peninsula from long-term erosion. The recontouring of the peninsula and Big Bear Marina is, per MWD staff, not anticipated to commence for a couple of years, depending on lake level.

Seven Eagles on Big Bear Vacation

On Saturday March 14th, the final bald eagle count of the winter was conducted by local Federal and State biologists and volunteers around lakes in the San Bernardino and San Jacinto Mountains.  During beautiful weather conditions, large numbers of volunteers turned out for a chance to see one of our magnificent national birds.  The effort was successful in tallying the bald eagles spending their winter vacations at local mountain lakes.

A grand total of 12 eagles (8 adults, 4 juveniles) were observed in the four lake areas during the 1- hour count.  5 eagles (3 adults, 2 juveniles) were observed in the Big Bear/Baldwin Lake area; 3 eagles (2 adults, 1 juvenile) at Lake Arrowhead; 2 eagles (1 adult, 1 juvenile) at Silverwood Lake; and, 2 adult eagles at Lake Hemet.  Juvenile eagles are distinguished by a brown head and tail; adults are recognized by the famous white head and tail – it takes 4-5 years to acquire full adult coloration.  Juvenile eagles are the same size as the adults.

Approximately 180 volunteers participated in the 1-hour eagle census at four lakes (~80 at Big Bear area; 18 at Lake Arrowhead; 41 at Lake Hemet; and 38 at Silverwood Lake).  The Forest Service and State Recreation Area biologists would like to thank the volunteers – it would not be possible to do this census without the help of the public!

The U.S. Forest Service and  biologists have coordinated counts of this federally-protected species since 1978.  Data from our local count will be added to the nation-wide Mid-Winter Bald Eagle census to assess recovery status of the species.  We rely on volunteers to gather information during the monthly winter eagle counts.  Counts are conducted for a 1-hour period from 9-10 a.m.  Forest Service volunteers stationed around lakes in Big Bear, Arrowhead, and Idyllwild record all observations of bald eagles.  Volunteers at Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area conduct simultaneous counts.

Bald eagles are similar to many southern Californians in that they visit the lakes of our San Bernardino and San Jacinto Mountains for their winter vacations between November and April.  Instead of vacationing here for dynamite skiing, eagles come for the plentiful food supplies.  As lakes and rivers up north freeze each winter, fish become unavailable under a thick layer of ice and ducks leave the frozen waters.   The eagles’ “grocery stores” have essentially closed for the winter.  So eagles fly south looking for open water stocked with food.  The lakes of the San Bernardino and San Jacinto Mountains fit the bill perfectly–they are part of the Pacific Migratory Flyway, a migration freeway for millions of ducks.  Eagles like to spend their winters here because of the abundant and tasty ducks and fish.

Our bald eagles normally migrate out of the San Bernardino and San Jacinto Mountains in late March, heading back to summer homes in Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, and Alberta, Canada.  In recent years, a pair of bald eagles has remained at Lake Hemet and successfully produced several eaglets.

Catching a glimpse of our breath-taking national bird is relatively easy during the winter months.  There are also some fantastic opportunities for excellent close-up photography.  Just look in the tallest trees around the lakeshore.  Or, if the lake is partially frozen, look for eagles perched on the ice near small groups of ducks using open water pockets.  Remember that human presence may distract or disturb the eagles–so, try to limit your movements and don’t make loud noises when nearby.  If possible, remain in your car while observing eagles–the car acts as a blind.

For More Information about Bald Eagle Counts
Big Bear Lake and Lake Arrowhead Contact:
Robin Eliason – reliason@fs.fed.us; 909-382-2832
Lake Hemet Contact:  Heidi Hoggan hhoggan@fs.fed.us; 909-382-2945
Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area Contact:  Kathy Williams – khwilliams@parks.ca.gov;  760-389-2303

Six Bald Eagles Spotted in Big Bear in January; Volunteers Welcome on Forest Service’s Saturday Count

Bald eagle counts have been conducted in the Big Bear Valley since 1979, and these winter counts overseen by the U.S. Forest Service contribute to the nation-wide Mid-Winter Bald Eagle Census to assess recovery status of the species. As many as 28 eagles were spotted in the Big Bear Lake and Baldwin Lake areas in the winter of 1983/1984 though, in the last three years, that number has averaged seven for our area. Two of this winter’s counts were called off due to heavy snow, though 50 volunteers contributed to the January count, which resulted in six eagles observed in Big Bear; these four adults and two juveniles made up half of the 12 total eagles counted in Big Bear, Lake Arrowhead, Silverwood Lake and Lake Hemet within the San Bernardino National Forest. Biologist Robin Eliason notes that our local count was a little lower than average, probably due in part to the fact that a large portion of the lake had been frozen over for several weeks; given this, ducks, the main prey for eagles, do not stay in the area. The next eagle count is scheduled to take place this Saturday morning, and volunteers are welcome to participate in the one-hour opportunity. Volunteers are asked to meet at the Big Bear Discovery Center for an 8am debriefing on the 14th before dispersing for the 9am count. No experience is necessary, though volunteers are asked to bring binoculars, watch and a pen; also, dress warmly and wear boots, as snow may still be deep in some areas.

Bald Eagle Count with U.S. Forest Service

Volunteers are welcome to participate in the bald eagle count; meet at Big Bear Discovery Center at 8am for one-hour count at 9am. Bring binoculars, a watch and warm clothing. More info: 909/866-3437.

Bald Eagle Count with U.S. Forest Service

Volunteers are welcome to participate in the bald eagle count; meet at Big Bear Discovery Center at 8am for one-hour count at 9am. Bring binoculars, a watch and warm clothing. More info: 909/866-3437. Update: The 2/14 count has been cancelled due to weather. The next eagle count with the U.S. Forest Service will take place on March 14.

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