Despite the rain and fog, over 150 people came out this morning for the last winter bald eagle count of the season in San Bernardino National Forest and at two California State Parks. 15 bald eagles were confirmed: 10 adults, three juveniles and the two chicks from the nest in Big Bear.
The bald eagle chicks, who hatched live on a webcam last month will be four weeks old on Sunday, March 11 and Monday, March 12. Chicks grow rapidly and are usually one-foot tall at this age and will be fully grown by week nine, when their first flights may occur. They and their parents can be observed live on a webcam provided by the nonprofit Friends of the Big Bear Valley (to view, select “Big Bear Eagle Cam, Big Bear Lake” at the link). To protect the eagles from disturbance, the area surrounding the nest, which is near Big Bear Lake, is completely closed to all public entry.
As thousands watched the chicks online, 158 participants fanned out across the region counting bald eagles at five lakes. The results:
• Big Bear Lake: 2 adults, 2 chicks, and possibly 1 subadult (54 participants)
• Lake Arrowhead: 2 adults (17 participants)
• Silverwood Lake: 2 adults and 2 subadults (23 participants)
• Lake Perris: 2 adults and 1 subadult (59 participants)
• Lake Hemet: 2 adult nesting bald eagles (5 participants)
Count coordinators from San Bernardino National Forest and California State Parks would like to thank all the participants for their dedication in getting up early and participating in the eagle censuses this winter. The success of the eagle counts is entirely dependent on the citizen scientists!