Best Places to View the Eagles of Big Bear
When you can’t wait to get out of town and leave the hustle of life behind for a scenic getaway instead, setting your sights on Big Bear Lake, California is always an inspiring choice. This four-season escape offers guests access to a one-of-a-kind mountain retreat complete with amazing options for entertainment, outdoor recreation, and stunning views alike. For those who find their vacation state of mind most easily when there’s shopping and dining added to the itinerary, Big Bear has you covered there as well. From skiing in the winter to mountain treks on gorgeous trails in the summer, Big Bear has something for everyone to enjoy thanks to its prime location in the San Bernardino National Forest. It’s also a haven of opportunity for those with a passion for wildlife watching. If it’s spotting eagles that gets your heart racing, you’ll find every moment spent in Big Bear with eyes on the sky is well worth your while for viewing Big Bear eagles.
Capture the Nest View on Webcam
Residents and visitors of Big Bear alike have been thrilled to see bald eagle populations on the rise in the area since 2012. Maintaining this upward trend is a cause supported by a local organization known as Friends of Big Bear Valley. Year-round, the group maintains webcams over one of the primary eagle nests in the area so that viewers and eagle enthusiasts from across the country and world can see what eagle life is really like in a captivating and of course, safe manner. Friends of Big Bear Valley planned the camera experience and then proceeded to raise the funds and permits necessary to install the cameras in a way that wouldn’t interfere with the eagle’s opportunities to thrive. 24/7 viewers can tune into the Big Bear eagle cam and watch over a nest that is located on the north side of a lake near Fawnskin within the San Bernardino National Forest. The tree the camera is mounted on is a 150-foot Jeffrey Pine with the nest sitting no less than 120 feet up in the air. The camera first put its lens on the nest in 2013 and since that time, droves of eagle watchers continue to check in to see paired eagles lay eggs, hatch eaglets, and watch those same eaglets take their first flight. Initially, raptor experts noticed that bald eagles tended to exclusively winter in the Big Bear Valley when food was abundant. These days, some eagles are maintaining a residence in the area year-round giving locals and visitors more options to spot them beyond the camera. That said, the area around the nest is closed to the public during nesting season to avoid the unfortunate occurrence of eagles abandoning their young due to human disturbances.
How to View the Big Bear Eagles in Person
The good news is, there are plenty of opportunities for guests and locals to view the eagles of Big Bear outside of nesting season. Your best bet is to begin at the Big Bear Discovery Center where you can sign up for a volunteer-led experience at a designated eagle viewing station. Another great option for eagle viewing in Big Bear is to make your way to the Chirp Nature Center where high-definition eagle nest monitors can be enjoyed right on-site. Additionally, there’s an opportunity to get close to these incredible raptors at the Big Bear Alpine Zoo. This location rescues, rehabilitates, and releases local wildlife. However, in the event an eagle is too injured to be released, they’re cared for on-site indefinitely and become fantastic ambassadors for their species!
Consider Participating in the Winter Bald Eagle Count
You don’t have to be a raptor expert to take part in the annual winter bald eagle count in Big Bear which is another fantastic way to set your sights on these majestic creatures that call the area home. This yearly volunteer-supported event lets you become part of an important citizen scientist experience around Big Bear Lake that’s been happening since 1978. Throughout the winter season, volunteers can set up at a designated observation point for an hour at a time to see how many eagles they spot and report those numbers back for research totals. The winter bald eagle count happens between December and March and many of the observation areas are close to the water where eagles are more likely to continue hunting their food this time of year. You don’t have to register to participate but you’ll have to show up for a brief orientation and make sure you have binoculars in hand. It’s a great way to get your eagle spotting thrills for a good cause in Big Bear.
Book Your Big Bear Adventure Today
The next time travel plans bring you to Big Bear, make sure you have great accommodations in place to match the moment by partnering with Big Bear Cabins. Reach out today to learn more about our exciting mountain cabins with hot tubs and to start planning.
