For The Birds

Helpers needed for bald eagle count

Volunteers are needed for today's bald eagle count in the San Bernardino Mountains, which are home to Southern California's largest winter population of the birds.

Each winter, the U.S. Forest Service conducts concurrent one-hour census/mapping efforts to learn about the big birds' activities and lifestyle. Counts are held in Big Bear Lake, Baldwin Lake, Lake Arrowhead, Silverwood Lake, Lake Gregory, Little Green Valley Lake, and Lake Hemet.

Volunteers need only bring binoculars, a watch and warm clothes.

Big Bear Lake volunteers should meet at the Forest Service Big Bear Discovery Center on North Shore Drive at 8 a.m. Arrowhead Lake volunteers should meet at the Sky Forest Ranger Station at 8 a.m. For more information on either location, call Marc Stamer, Wildlife Biologist at the Big Bear Ranger Station at (909) 382-2828.

Silverwood Lake State Park volunteers should meet at the park office at 8 a.m. For more information, call Rick Reisenhofer at (760) 389-2281.

Lake Hemet volunteers should meet at the Lake Hemet Grocery Store at 8:30 a.m. For more information, call Kim Huber at (909) 382- 2936.

Monthly counts will continue through March.