Volunteers Needed to Count Bald Eagles

Volunteers Needed to Count Bald Eagles
Date: Dec 15, 2010

San Bernardino, Calif., December 15, 2010 - Volunteers are needed to help the Forest Service count bald eagles in the San Bernardino National Forest’s 32nd annual winter bald eagle counts in the San Bernardino and San Jacinto Mountains on Dec. 18, Jan. 8, Feb. 12, and March 12.

Concurrent Bald Eagle counts are held at Big Bear Lake, Baldwin Lake, Little Green Valley Lake, Lake Gregory, Lake Arrowhead, Lake Silverwood, and Lake Hemet. This year we have added Lake Perris State Park Recreation Area. Volunteers will be stationed at vantage points around the lakes, where they map and note any eagle observations during a 1-hour period on the Saturday mornings listed above. Observations will be repeated monthly for simultaneous 1-hour census/mapping efforts December through March.

“Through this method, the Forest Service has acquired information about areas eagles use and fluctuations in population numbers,”said wildlife biologist Marc Stamer. “There is no experience needed for volunteers and this is a wonderful opportunity to catch a glimpse of our breath-taking national symbol.”

Eagle counts for this winter have been scheduled for the following Saturday mornings: December 18, January 8, February 12, and March 12. Mark your calendars now.

No experience needed. Volunteers should dress warmly and bring binoculars and a watch.

· Big Bear Lakearea volunteers will meet at 8:00 a.m. at the Big Bear Discovery Center on North Shore Drive. Contact Marc Stamer at 909-382-2828 for more information.

· LakeArrowheadvolunteers will meet at 8:00 a.m. at the Sky Forest Ranger Station. Contact Marc Stamer, Wildlife Biologist, at 909-382-2828 for more information.

· Silverwood Lake State Parkvolunteers should contact the park office for information during business hours of 8:00 am to 4:00 pm at 760-389-2281,and plan to meet at the Visitor Center at 8:00 a.m.

· LakeHemetvolunteers should plan on meeting at the Lake Hemet Grocery Store at 8:30 a.m. for instructions. Contact Ann Poopatanapong at 909-382-2935 for more information.

· Lake Perris State Park volunteers should contact the park office for information at 951-940-5600, and plan to meet at the Lake Perris Regional Indian Museum.

For additional information about the San Bernardino National Forest, please visit: http://www.fs.usda.gov/sbnf