U.S. Forest Service seeks volunteers to assist in bald eagle count

HEMET - The U.S. Forest Service is seeking volunteers to assist rangers in the agency's 32nd annual bald eagle count in the San Bernardino and San Jacinto mountains, it was announced today.

The Forest Service's winter census is slated to begin Dec. 18 and continue on sporadic weekends to mid-March.

Volunteers are needed to look for activity in traditional nesting areas, including Lake Hemet -- where a pair of bald eagles fledged babies in 2003 -- Baldwin Lake, Big Bear Lake, Lake Arrowhead, Lake Gregory, Lake Silverwood and Little Green Valley Lake.

The Forest Service has added the Lake Perris...