Bald Eagles Spotted During Annual Bird Count

Above: Don, son Judd and Diana Garrett viewing bald eagle.

By Bobbi Zane

It was a sight for the sharp-eyed: a tow-headed bald eagle perched on a snag just a short distance from Highway 76 at Lake Henshaw.

Dick Hobson, Ray Mitchell and Don Garrett spotted the raptor during the Julian Jay Birds Bird-A-Thon, an annual county-wide bird count conducted in conjunction with the San Diego Audubon Society April 29.

On that afternoon, the birders scattered throughout the countryside to look for some of the 492 bird species that call San Diego County home; about 60 reside in the Julian area, according to Rick Campbell, owner of The Birdwatcher and Julian's bird authority. Objective of the count was to identify as many wild bird species as possible and raise money for the Audubon Society. This year, the Julian Jay Birds identified 62 species and raised $1,046 in donations and pledges for the society's conservation and educational outreach programs.

Campbell, who has been eyeing the eagles on a regular basis for the past few months, said he believes that these are the only bald eagles living in the San Diego area.

Wilson Warbler photos including cover Photo courtesy of Diana Garrett

"They've been nesting in the area for the past few years, but this year the nest was very visible from the highway and it attracted a lot of attention," he said. "They are so cool. They fly like an airplane right over you" on their way to the lake.

Don and Diana Garrett founded the Julian Jay Birders seven years ago to conduct the count and have a little fun. This year participants identified and counted birds at Lake Henshaw, Lake Cuyamaca and at the Mesa Grande grasslands. Some even explored the trails around the Garrett home in Julian Estates. In addition to the bald eagles, the census included snowy and cattle egrets, western tanager, several finches, hummingbirds and sparrows.

The afternoon concluded with a potluck at the Garrett home.

This year's participants were Barbara and Ray Mitchell, Mary Ellen and Dick Thilken, John and Jan Mattias, Janet and Jim Baker, Jim and Edie Seger, Mary and Dick Hobson, Marsha Morris, Pam and Mike Gallo, Mary Lou and Howard Jones, Jo Ann Bernard, Merleen and Pete Ottaviano and Jo and Pete Larson.