Photo Credit: Robin Eliason, U.S. Forest Service, San Bernardino National Forest

Volunteers are needed to help count bald eagles for the 35^th season in the annual winter bald eagle count in the Inland Empire tomorrow,  Saturday March 9^th.   This will be the last bald eagle census for this winter.

Concurrent bald eagle counts are held at Big Bear Lake, Lake Arrowhead, Lake Silverwood, Lake Perris, and Lake Hemet. Volunteers are stationed at vantage points around the lakes, where they watch for bald eagles during a 1-hour period on the count mornings. Volunteers record their observations on maps and data sheets.  This is a wonderful opportunity to catch a glimpse of our breath-taking national symbol.  A brief orientation is conducted prior to the count so volunteers know where to go and what to do.

We expect it to be a fun time with good odds of seeing eagles since they are being seen at Lake Hemet, Lake Perris, Lake Arrowhead, Lake Gregory, Lake Silverwood, and Big Bear Lake.

No experience is needed.  Signing up ahead of time is unnecessary – just show up at the designated time and location, dress warmly, bring binoculars and a watch.  Children and groups are welcome to participate!

·         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 Robin Eliason (reliason@fs.fed.us or 909-382-2832) for more information.  There will be a free bald eagle talk at the Discovery Center at 11:00 after the eagle count.  Contact the Discovery Center (909-866-2789) for more information.

·         Lake Arrowhead/Lake Gregory volunteers will meet at 8:00 a.m. at the Skyforest Ranger Station for orientation. Contact Robin Eliason (reliason@fs.fed.us or 909-382-2832) for more information.

·         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 information 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 information.

·         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 information at 951-940-5600.

If weather is poor, please call the appropriate contact number for cancelations.  See websites for additional information about the San Bernardino National Forest (http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/sanbernardino/) and the California State Recreation Areas (www.parks.ca.gov)..

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