So last week GG scooped everyone when she hinted about the eagle chick–but now it is official and I can release more information.

It is true that a pair of bald eagles have successfully nested and produced a chick here in Fawnskin within the San Bernardino National Forest. This is the first documented success recorded in recent times at Big Bear Lake–in Grout Bay.

From the official release:

The new chick is estimated to have been born around February 11th and is nicknamed “Jack” to honor one of the Forest’s most dedicated eagle count volunteers, Jack Lubecki, who passed away a couple of years ago.

The chick was first spotted on February 21st by Forest Service wildlife biologist Marc Stamer while on a field trip with a group of third graders from Big Bear Elementary School.

“I was shocked to look through the spotting scope and see a bald eagle chick sitting up in the nest,” said Stamer. “The students, teachers, and parents were as excited to see a baby eagle as I was! It was a first for all of us!”

The chick was born to a pair of eagles who built a nest on the national forest near Grout Bay in Fawnskin several years ago, but had not laid eggs until now. Dubbed Lucy and Ricky by local eagle-maniacs, this pair laid an egg in early January, unbeknownst to local eagle observers and biologists.

The Big Bear Lake area has supported the largest wintering population of bald eagles for many years. Bald eagles migrate to southern California’s lakes and reservoirs for the abundant food supply (fish and waterfowl) and then return to nest sites in Oregon, Washington, Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, Alaska, and Canada. Over the past few years, some bald eagles have taken up year-round residency in the Big Bear Lake area.

“We have hoped to see bald eagles nesting in the area for many years since we have great habitat for them,” said Forest Service district biologist Robin Eliason. “Eagles mate for life and will use the same nest tree for several years, so we can expect to see bald eagles here year-round for years to come.”

To minimize disturbance to this young eagle, the Forest is extending the annual seasonal closure beyond the usual April 1st date to June 15th instead. The “Forest Order” prohibits entry into Grout Bay Picnic Area, Gray’s Peak Trailhead, Gray’s Peak Trail, and the area directly around the bald eagle nest, to allow the chick to grow and learn to fly without human disturbance.

“We hope our forest users understand the minor inconvenience of having to close some facilities in order to protect the bald eagles,” said Eliason.

For over thirty years, the San Bernardino National Forest has maintained winter closures of its facilities in this area of Fawnskin in order to provide disturbance-free perching and foraging areas for bald eagles. Disturbance around a nest can cause the adults to leave the nest long enough that eggs and/or the chicks are susceptible to predation. It can also cause the adults to abandon the nest, eggs, and chicks. Even well intentioned people who want to get close for a better view or for photographs may cause disruption to the nest.

Because its populations were decimated by environmental contaminants, bounty hunters, and habitat loss in the lower 48 states, the bald eagle was one of the first animals protected under the federal Endangered Species Act. After many years of recovery efforts, the bald eagle was upgraded from “endangered” to “threatened” in 1995. Then, in 2007, it was completely removed from the federal Endangered Species List due the rise in its population numbers across the country. Bald eagles, however, are still considered endangered and a “fully protected species” by the State of California. The species is also protected under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act as well as the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Over the past decade, bald eagles have expanded their breeding distribution to include other parts of southern California, including Lake Hemet, Lake Skinner, Lake Matthews, Lake Henshaw, and the Channel Islands. There are also records of bald eagles for Lake Silverwood, Lake Arrowhead, Baldwin Lake, Lake Perris, and Lake Elsinore in the Inland Empire area.

Several organizations have come together to help protect this bald eagle nest, including: the San Bernardino National Forest, National Forest Association (NFA), California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG), the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, San Bernardino County Parks and Recreation Department, and Big Bear Municipal Water District.

The Forest Service and CDFG plan to use volunteers to both monitor the nest sites and provide the public with opportunities to view the eagles from a safe distance. The volunteers will be stationed with spotting scopes at Dana Point Park in Fawnskin. “We are working on getting volunteers scheduled to be there at least on the weekends and hopefully on a lot of weekdays,” said NFA volunteer coordinator Meredith Brandon.

People interested in helping monitor the bald eagle nest may contact Meredith Brandon at (909) 382-28420 or mbrandon@nationalforestassociation.org . For information about bald eagle viewing opportunities, contact the Forest Service’s Big Bear Discovery Center (909) 382-2789.

PS Isn’t this timely since GG was just talking about taking up birding…Meredith will like that I am available weekdays. LOL

So, GG’s been a hermit…again.

First, based on the arriving storm–GG knew it was imperative that she be in her hammock in the good weather.

I’ve got a nice farmer tan as a result but I just love that hammock.

Here in the Grotto a hammock is super important.

The birds above my head were making it known that they expected food if it did snow and so I had to fulfill that obligation.

Plus, I spent a lot of time outside clearing and prepping. I moved the makeshift birdbath by the antique feeder.

They like it and I like watching them having fun around it.

However, there has been no sign of the hawk in days and I am worried something happened to her.

News? I hear that we have a Bald Eagle chick here in the valley–if so, it is likely the first documented chick to be raised in the area. Of course, I heard it is in the Fawnskin area because only the discerning sophisticates live here.

During the storm I had a meeting here at the home office and made sure that I kept a roaring fire burning. The house was toasty but not too much so tonight so I better get on it.

After the storm, the sun came out as expected. So with my nice new sunglasses, I hiked down the hillside in shin deep snow on my walk to the Post Office–only to find that my package still had not arrived.

It has been days and days–and they lost the package according to their customer service–but I think they simply didn’t ship it!

Anyway, you lucked out with the breaking news slideshow because of that jaunt. Afterwards I took the time to shovel up to the road.

I was not happy that my last visitor created an ice mountain behind my truck blocking my pals from parking there and since I actually may have a buyer–I am likely to need an ice pick to break up the pile.

But this isn’t the first time someone said they were interested, and as I’ve said, I’ll believe it when the money is put in my little fist.

The good things this week? I didn’t just work, work, work!

Fortunately, local resident Karin kidnapped me for a movie.

After that I had an appointment that was good for my soul.

But then today it was catch up with lots of technical glitches.

My confession? This gal needs to come up for air and get outside because I didn’t step a foot out today at all–which is abnormal.

If you haven’t figured it out by now, nothing has been happening which is why I am rambling.

The highway construction was postponed due to the storm and no word yet as to when it will resume.

The Chamber of Commerce in Big Bear is getting close to announcing the new selection for Director but the recent event was a great success despite people muttering about so-and-so and the likelihood he won’t be allowed to attend next year despite the wad of cash he spent.

Seriously? I am not the only one who needs to get outside and smell the pine trees!

At any rate, have a great weekend and I’ll be back Tuesday. If you want to help a gal out, leave some dirt news in the comments.

Instead of doing my product review today, GG is deviating from the normal schedule for this breaking news…

The Fawnskin Folks known as the Guzman clan made a big splash over in Big Bear Lake at the Snowshoe the Bear race.

Seriously, just a few days ago it was so hot that there were puddles at the race starting and finishing point.

Too bad the snow we had yesterday didn’t hit earlier but that didn’t seem to deter the four different generations participating in the race.

Above: “Shy” Fawnskin Folks Pose for Photographs

It is always a pleasure to see the Guzmans here in Fawnskin. There is a lot of laughter and energy spread through town when they are around.

This time they brought up a grand-daughter, grand-son and two great-grand-kids which made things a bit more interesting.

Above: Daughter – Mom – Grandson

The sun was shining down on everyone during the race but the wind chill kept everyone bundled up for the most part.

Charlie was toasty but wasn’t feeling to swift this trip. Fortunately, it was only temporary and I’m sure he would have been happier supervising everyone if he was up to it.

Above: Josh & Hope Discussing the Race

But the boys, Josh (2) and Nathan (3) did a good job entertaining everyone and keeping the family on their toes. It is likely we will see the entire clan again soon in another race of some sort.

Okay, off topic…if you have not heard, Highway 330 will be closed Wednesday, February 29th and Thursday, March 1, 2012 from 8:30am to 2:30pm each day.

Night…I’ll be back on Thursday!