The first bald eagle count of the 2018-19 winter was held Saturday. The two adult eagles, who have built a home at Lake Hemet, were spotted during the count.
Nine other eagles, adults and younger, were seen at the other four sites.
This is the 40th consecutive year of bald eagle counts on the San Bernardino National Forest. The sites are the five lakes — Big Bear, Lake Arrowhead, Lake Perris State Recreation Area and Silverwood — within the forest.
More than 100 people participated in the count, including 28 at the Lake Hemet site.
Several dozen bald eagles typically spend their winter vacations around Southern California’s lakes, adding to a few resident nesting bald eagles that stay year-round. Agency biologists recruit the public to help monitor the local population by conducing simultaneous counts.
The dates for the three other bald eagle counts this winter are Jan. 12, Feb. 9 and March 9. No reservations are needed; just show up at a designated location at the start time with binoculars and a way to keep time.