After more than 125 people fanned out across Southern California’s Inland Empire to participate in the last public bald eagle count of the season, a bald eagle in Big Bear laid a second egg at a nest where a live webcam is placed. It was laid at approximately 5:25 p.m. The first egg was laid on Wednesday, March 6.
The incubation period for bald eagle eggs averages around 35 days. The parents will switch off incubation duties to keep the eggs warm as the embryos develop. If all goes well, including if the eggs were fertilized in the first place during mating, chicks should hatch in early to mid-April.
At the public count earlier in the day, thirteen bald eagles were confirmed by citizen scientists during this last winter bald eagle count of the season. It is the 40th year of the annual count that spans five lakes within San Bernardino National Forest and two California State Park recreation areas on four Saturdays throughout the winter. 6 eagles were spotted in Big Bear.
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. Agency biologists recruit the public to help monitor the local population by conducting simultaneous counts.
Mama Eagle, Jackie, laid a single egg in the midst of a snow storm. It appears that the egg was laid shortly before 2pm on 3/6/2019.
Photos courtesy of Big Bear Eagle Nest Cam. from Friends of Big Bear Valley.
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