2010 News

February

We are obviously in winter now.  It is much easier to see the many birds still here this time of year.  We are still getting a lot of reports of Clark’s Nutcrackers throughout the valley.  We are seeing a lot of Junco’s, woodpeckers, chickadees, nuthatches, and jays.  Clark’s Nutcrackers are jays.

We will soon see the Bluebirds returning and they will be looking for places to nest.  As soon as you can get to your nest boxes make sure they are ready for the mating season.  We may also see migrating Hummingbirds coming through very soon on their way north.  Remember if you want to feed them, make sure that you only fill your feeder half full or bring it in at night.  Both of these may be later this year because of the snow depth but watch for them.

Wild Wings will be closed on Wednesday’s until April.  We hope this does not cause any inconvenience.

The January Eagle count for Big Bear was 6.  Three mature and three immature eagles were counted.  If you are out looking for these magnificent birds, then look at the largest trees around the lake that have bare snags at the top.  If the lake is frozen, then look for open areas of water that would have waterfowl and look around on the ice where the eagles will be sitting choosing their next meal.

The February Eagle count for the Valley was 9.  Four mature and five immature eagles were counted.

The first reports of Bluebirds was reported on February 15 in the Sugarloaf area.  I saw Bluebirds in the Van Dusen Canyon area on Wed., February 17.  They will start looking for suet and nesting places.  So hopefully your nest boxes are ready.  Any time now we should see the first migrating Rufous Hummingbirds flying through.

Eagle counts are scheduled during the winter throughout the Southern California Mountains and National Forests.  The following dates are scheduled for these eagle counts:  February 13 and March 13.  Contact the Discovery Center for information on being a volunteer for these counts.

Music Big Bear Lake written and performed by Mel Blanc courtesy of Noel Blanc

Contact Us at: wildwingsunlimited@wild-wings.com