Lake Hemet’s two nesting bald eagles stared back at volunteers during Saturday morning’s bald eagle count.
“We saw both eagles, one sitting at the edge (not in) of the nest and the second one perched in a tree nearby. They stayed put the whole hour we were watching,” said U.S. Forest Service biologist Ann Bowers.
No information was available about the results of the Southern California count at the other sites.
The next bald eagle count is Saturday, Feb. 10. The final count of 2018 will be in March.
Lake Hemet participants should plan to meet at Lake Hemet Market at 8:30 a.m. for orientation. Contact Bowers (via email at [email protected] or call 909-382-2935) for more information.
Other counts that day will be at Big Bear Lake, Lake Arrowhead, Lake Gregory, Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area and Lake Perris State Recreation Area.
The Forest Service stresses that no experience is necessary. Signing up ahead of time is not required either. Volunteers can just show up at the designated time and location. Dress should be warm to accommodate morning temperatures, and binoculars and a watch will be helpful.
Brief orientations are conducted prior to the count so volunteers know where to go and what to do.
