Volunteers Count 11 Bald Eagles at Mountain Reservoirs and Lake Perris

Volunteers working with state and federal biologists on Saturday counted 11 bald eagles - seven adults and four juveniles - at manmade reservoirs in the San Bernardino Mountains and south of Moreno Valley, according to the Forest Service.

More than 90 observers, including volunteers, took part in the one-hour eagle census in the Big Bear Lake area, at Lake Arrowhead, at Silverwood Lake, and at Lake Perris, said Robin Eliason, district biologist for the Mountaintop Ranger District of the San Bernardino National Forest Service.

The Dec. 21 count included:

- Two adult eagles and four juvenile eagles at in the Big Bear/Baldwin Lake area

- Two adult eagles at Lake Arrowhead

- Two adult eagles at Silverwood Lake

- One adult eagle at Lake Perris

Juvenile eagles are the same size as adults, and they are distinguished by a brown head and tail, Eliason said. Adults are recognized by the white head and tail. Maturing bald eagles take four to five years to acquire full adult coloration.

"The count coordinators from the Forest Service and State Recreation Areas would like to thank those volunteers for their dedication in getting up early and participating in the eagle census," Eliason said. "The success of the eagle counts are entirely dependent on the volunteers!"

More bald eagle counts this winter are scheduled the following Saturday mornings: Jan. 11, Feb. 8, and March 8. No experience is needed, Eliason said.  Signing up ahead of time is not necessary - just show up at the designated time and location, dress warmly, bring binoculars and a watch.

Big Bear Lake area volunteers will meet at 8:00 a.m. at the Forest Service’s Big Bear Discovery Center on North Shore Drive for orientation.Contact Drew Farr (dpfarr@fs.fed.us or 909-382-2816) for more info.

Lake Arrowhead/Lake Gregory volunteers will meet at 8:00 a.m. at the Skyforest Ranger Station for orientation. Contact Drew Farr (dpfarr or 909-382-2816) for more info.

Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area volunteers should plan to meet at the Visitor Center at 8:00 a.m. for orientation. Contact Kathy Williams or Mark Wright for more info about volunteering or taking an eagle tour (760-389-2303 between 8:00 and 4:00; or email: khwilliams@parks.ca.gov).

Lake Hemet volunteers should plan on meeting at the Lake Hemet Grocery Store at 8:30 a.m. for orientation.  Contact Anne Poopatanapong (apoopatanapong@fs.fed.us or 909-382-2935) for more info.

Lake Perris State Recreation Area volunteers should plan to meet at the Lake Perris Regional Indian Museum at 8:00 for orientation.  Contact the office for more infor at 951-940-5600.

For more about the San Bernardino National Forest visit www.fs.fed.us/r5/sanbernardino, and for more on California State Recreation Areas see www.parks.ca.gov.