February 2022 Big Bear Today Magazine

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Page 4—February 2022Online viewers continue to have afront row seat as the miracles of natureunfold on their computerscreens.Last month resident bald eagle mamaJackie laid two eggs, continuing a Januarypattern that’s taken place each of the pastthree years. Internet viewers from aroundthe world see it all unfold online atFriendsofBigBearValley.org/eagles.There’s also a new wide view cam that allowsviewers to see the eagles fly into andout of the nest.Hopefully the end result will be betterthan 2021, when two of the eggs wereconsumed by ravens and the third crackedduring a difficult delivery for Jackie. A secondclutch of two eggs arrived a few weekslater but failed to hatch, though one eggseemed to come close after a pip was detected.Things are definitely egg-citing in BigBear as February arrives, with eggs perhapshatching around Valentine’s Day. Thebirds began building their nest last fall andcontinued to bond in December, setting thestage for the 2022 nesting season.Unlike past years when one of theeagles was always around the nest to protectagainst predators, last year Shadowwent AWOL for a couple days and Jackiedidn’t stick around as much either, strayingfrom the nest for hours at a time, leavingthe eggs vulnerable to scavengers. Itjust seemed neither bird was into theparenting thing, with increased human activity—despiteclosure signs—around thenest floated as one reason why.The nest cam brings to light nature ina way people don’t often get to see. Visitthe website and you’re likely to watch theeagles arrive with fish from the lake, spendspecial time with each other, and even layeggs. In previous years the eagles were diligentwith incubating their two eggs, whichseems to be the case in 2022 too.There are several possible reasons theeggs never hatched, including cold temperatures—snowseveral days before theyBig Bear TodayBald eagle cam shows Jackie, Shadow trying againBig Bear’s bald eagle pair is at it again as Jackie laidtwo eggs last month, hopefully with better resultsThe live nest cam captured newly-arrived eagle eggs in late Januarywere due to hatch may have played a role.2022 so far has been milder with no snow.Perhaps they were just infertile eggs or theembryos died during incubation. It’s possiblethe chicks were just unable to breakout of their shells and were trapped inside."Sometimes Mother Nature can beharsh and disappoint us with our humanhopes," the Forest Service said on itsFacebook page, a message that it repeatedin January. "Getting a glimpse into the dailylives of this beautiful bald eagle pair hasbeen a real treat. Bald eagles have a verystrong fidelity to their nest sites."Only one eagle survived from eachpair of eggs the previous two years as well,winter storms taking their toll. The mortalityrate for bald eagle eggs and eagletsis 50% though in recent years Big Bear’shas exceeded that.That the Valley hosts transitory birdsmigrating from colder northern climates includingMontana, Canada and even Alaskais no surprise; Big Bear is along the PacificMigratory Flyway and affords reliablefishing. The lake rarely freezes entirelyand if it does it traps intellectuallychallengedcoots into frozen water whichthen become easy pickings.Now it seems a population of BigBear-born birds is trying to be established,estimated at around a half-dozen eagles orso. “We all think Shadow was born in thatnest,” said Trisha Dale Green, local eaglephotographer and moderator of a popularFacebook page.According to Friends of Big Bear Valley,the eagle nest has been in active usesince fall 2013. The eagle cam was installedtwo years later and captured its firsteagle nesting season in 2017.“Big Bear eagles are the most beautifulbirds,” Green said. “Stormy (anotheroffspring of Jackie) is a beautiful bird. Themore you watch him the more you realizehe’s really special. Same with Shadow.”The area around the bald eagle nest isclosed by Forest order. Still some ignorethe well-posted closure, potentially spookingthe birds. “Bald eagles are known toabandon nests, eggs and young when feelingthreatened by human activities,” saidMarc Stamer, district ranger for theMountaintop Ranger District.“We are very excited to see bald eaglescontinuing to successfully reside and raiseyoung in this part of the forest,” Stameraid. “But that success is shared by the publicwho continue to adhere to an area closurearound the nest.” The area closure includedlower Gray’s Peak Trail and GroutBay picnic area among others.Bald eagle tours have been a thing ofthe past for some time and celebrations thattook their place aren’t happening thanksto the virus. So people who want to spotbald eagles in the wild are on their own,doable if you’re willing to work at it. Scandeadtop trees around the lake with a goodview of the water and you’ll often spotbirds, especially on aptly-named EaglePoint along the south shore. There’s a wellknownperch tree in the area that oftenharbors bald eagles.“Start at Grout Bay and use binocularsto see a nest from the gangway at CaptainJohn’s Marina,” said Green. “In a boatgo toward the dam and look near GilnerPoint. Or drive to the west ramp and treesabove Stanfield Cutoff.”The wrong way to see them is by usinga drone. Last year one of the remotevehicles was spotted buzzing above theeagle nest. Obviously not a good idea sincebald eagles (and golden eagles also) areprotected by Federal legislation against harassmentthat includes not only drone operationsbut also trespassing that can includesnow play.Instead watch the eagles atFriendsofBigBearValley.org/eagles andfollow Big Bear Lake Bald Eagles groupon Facebook. Chirp Nature Center in theVillage has the stream on as well.Call Forest Service (909) 382-2790Big Bear’s beautiful bald eagles as seen from the nest cam, as a few snowflurries arrive (left) and at the dawn of sunrise (above)
Big Bear Today February 2022—Page 5Crafts, guided treks at Discovery CenterCraft projects for the kids, guided naturewalks for the whole family, volunteerseed collection event and more are on tapat Big Bear Discovery Center in February.And maybe, just maybe, guided snowshoetours, if Old Man Winter returns tograce the mountains with white stuff.All of which adds up to a busy monthat Big Bear’s recreation destination, openoutdoors only due to Covid with activities,information and more. There’s Nature DiscoveryTrail to explore and things to see,like a replica bald eagle nest. Weekendssee naturalist guided walks, informationbooths with Adventure Passes and permits,and activities for kids.Pinecone Birdfeeders for instance arepopular programs held Sundays, Feb. 6, 13,20 and 27 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Create yourown feeder to take home and watch thebirds flock to your backyard! Free and funfor all ages. Story Time on Feb. 5 and 19at 11 a.m. is fun for younger children whoenjoy nature-related stories read to themoutdoors for 30 minutes, free.Guided Nature Walks are anotherfun family activity, held Saturdays at 1 and2 p.m. and Sundays at 11 a.m. Stroll alongNature Discovery Trail with naturalistswho describe in detail the flora and faunavisitors see along the way. These 30-minuteadventures are non-strenuous and fun forthe whole family.Nature Discovery Trail is openweekdays, albeit with no naturalist guide,an easy half-mile loop the whole familyenjoys. Fairly level with minimal elevationgain, the trail winds through the forest withseveral signposts noting mountain floralike pinyon pine, service berry, Indianpaintbrush, Kennedy’s buckwheat andmore. There’s benches to take a break andviews that include the ski resorts and SanGorgonio Wilderness in the distance, evenpeek-a-boo vistas of Big Bear Lake.Children experience the forest firsthandin an outdoor “classroom” just forthem at Discovery Center. Ages 2-7 delightin the Nature Discovery Zone—first onein the National Forest system—whichcombines education and unstructured playareas just for youngsters, and now there’snew areas to explore.Nine interactive areas encourage outdoorexploration and even children olderthan the recommended age group enjoy theactivities. The zone lets kids climb andcrawl, build and dig, gather and enjoy art,plus there’s Pollinator Pathway, MessyMaterials and Music and Movement.Volunteer Restoration Days continueas well including local seed collectionefforts on Feb. 12 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m.Get outdoors more in 2022 and help publiclands at the same time! Advance registrationis required as groups are limited;lunderwood@mountainsfoundation.org.Guided Snowshoe EcoTours are tapSaturdays if Mother Nature cooperates.Meet at the corner of Pennsylvania andKnickerbocker in Big Bear Village forpopular treks that explore nearby TowneTrail in search of signs of winter wildlife.Participants enjoy a taste of winter recreationas they venture into the woods duringthese guided two-hour treks.Participants learn proper snowshoeingtechniques and safety skills before headingout with an experienced naturalist.Equipment is provided including trekkingpoles and Mountain Safety Research(MSR) Denali snowshoes.It’s amazing how quiet the woods arewhen they’re blanketed by snow, whichacts like a sound absorber...hear each stepbreak through a thin layer of crust amidstthe peace and tranquility. History of BigBear Valley and the San Bernardino NationalForest is presented and their uniqueecosystems. Outings can be up to threemiles though distance can be adjusted foreach tour, with two hours of snowshoeing.Cost is $30, $20 ages 8-12, and in-Continued on page 12See a lifesize replica of a bald eagle nest at Big Bear Discovery Center
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February 2022 Big Bear Today Magazine

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