Borrego Sun - Since 1949

The U. S. Forest Service has scheduled its four bald eagle counts for this winter. All counts will be on the Saturday mornings of Dec. 10, Jan. 14, Feb. 11 and March 11.

Migrating eagles typically begin arriving in the area in late November and leave in late March or early April. During the winter, Southern California bald eagles are typically found at many of the lakes, including Big Bear Lake, Baldwin Lake, Silverwood Lake, Lake Arrowhead, Green Valley Lake and Grass Valley Lake in the San Bernardino Mountains, and Prado Dam, Lake Perris, Lake Hemet, Lake Skinner, Diamond Valley Lake, Lake Matthews and the Salton Sea to the south.

The Forest Service stresses that no experience is necessary. Signing up ahead of time is not required either. Volunteers may 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 held prior to the count so volunteers know where to go and what to do. The local count will be at Lake Hemet. Volunteers should meet at the Lake Hemet Grocery Store at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, for orientation.