American Mascot Seen in Southern California

On Dec. 13, the first bald eagle count of the winter was conducted by local Federal and State biologists and volunteers around several lakes in Southern California. Several dozen bald eagles spend their winter vacations around southern California’s lakes, migrating to this area because their prey animals, fish and ducks, are no longer available to them in the cold northern regions as ice covers the lakes and rivers. Winter conditions at the mountain count sites hampered turnout of eagles and volunteers at this count. With icy roads and poor weather conditions, the Forest Service cancelled the Big Bear count but biologists were able to observe three eagles (two adults and one juvenile) during the census period. Lake Arrowhead had three observers but no eagles were seen. One adult eagle was observed by the 13 volunteers at Lake Perris. Two adult eagles were counted by the 16 participants at Lake Hemet. Three eagles (two adults and one juvenile) were counted by nine observers at Lake Silverwood. The count coordinators from the Forest Service and State Recreation Areas thanks those volunteers for their dedication in participating in the eagle census, claiming the success of the eagle counts is entirely dependent on the volunteers. The total of nine bald eagles observed during the count may under-represent the actual number of eagles in the area since not all of the usual sites were manned during the census this year. With more winter storms in the forecast, additional migrant bald eagles are expected to be moving into the area over the next few weeks, according to Forest Service officials. The highest counts are usually in January and February, officials said. The remaining bald eagle counts for this winter are scheduled for the following Saturday mornings: Jan. 10, Feb. 14, and March 14. No experience is needed to participate and signing up ahead of time is unnecessary. Volunteers may simply arrive at the designated time and location, dressed warmly and with a pair binoculars and a watch. · Lake Arrowhead/Lake Gregory volunteers will meet at 8 a.m. at the Skyforest Ranger Station for orientation. Contact Rari Marks (rariemarks@fs.fed.us or 909-382-2600, extension 4075) for more information. Please call 909-382-2832 for cancellation due to winter weather conditions – an outgoing message will be left by 6:30 a.m. on the morning of the count if it has to be cancelled. · Big Bear Lake area volunteers will meet at 8 a.m. at the Forest Service’s Big Bear Discovery Center on North Shore Drive for orientation. Contact Rari Marks (rariemarks@fs.fed.us or 909-382-2600, extension 4075) for more information. Please call 909-382-2832 for cancellation due to winter weather conditions – an outgoing message will be left by 6:30 a.m. on the morning of the count if it has to be cancelled. Contact the Discovery Center (909-382-2790) for information about Eagle Celebrations. There will also be a free slideshow about bald eagles at 11 a.m. after the counts and on Dec. 27 and Jan. 17. · Lake Hemet volunteers should plan on meeting at the Lake Hemet Grocery Store at 8:30 a.m. for orientation. Contact Heidi Hoggan (hhoggan@fs.fed.us or 909-382-2945) for more information. · Lake Perris State Recreation Area volunteers should plan to meet at the Lake Perris Regional Indian Museum at 8 a.m. for orientation. Contact the office for more information at 951-940-5600. · Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area volunteers should plan to meet at the Visitor Center at 8 a.m. for orientation. Contact Kathy Williams or Mark Wright for more information about volunteering or taking an eagle tour (760-389-2303 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. or via email at khwilliams@parks.ca.gov).