SKY’S THE LIMIT Big on Birding

Located on the Pacific Flyway, Big Bear is home to 248 wild bird species. Some of the rarer sightings birders can check off their “life list” here include pinyon jay, spotted owl, and California thrasher. A store and event space for bird lovers and curious minds, Chirp Nature Center’s Feeder Room has the most extensive selection of bird feeders in Southern California. You can also browse the well-curated selection of books, pick up supplies for a walk in the woods, and watch the live cam feed of Big Bear’s famous local bald eagles’ nest. Be sure to check Chirp’s events calendar for educational nature talks and guided wild bird walks, and pick up a complimentary bird map for your own birding expeditions. City of Big Bear Lake Mayor Randall Putz created the store in partnership with his wife. Here, he shares some of his expertise:

TOP BIRDING SPOTS

• Baldwin Lake Ecological Reserve

• Bluff Lake

• Grout Bay

• Juniper Point

• Holcomb Valley

• Metcalf Bay

• Sandalwood Marsh

• Stanfield Marsh

Q: What makes Big Bear such a compelling destination for birders?

A: Big Bear Lake’s combination of location and special features makes for unique birding. Its high-altitude position on the migratory Pacific Flyway, between desert and coastal zones, plus its large water sources nestled in alpine forests, attracts a great variety of seasonal migrants, some of which can be hard to see elsewhere.

Q: How does birding change seasonally?

A: Despite its location in Southern California, Big Bear Lake allows a full fourseason experience along with the wild birds each season brings. Whether it is migrants passing through in the spring and fall, nesters during the summer, or those birds specially adapted to survive snowy winters, Big Bear’s seasonal favorites don’t disappoint.

Q: What is your personal favorite time of year for birding opportunities?

A: Late spring and early summer—let’s say May through June-ish—is my favorite time for Big Bear birding because the forest seems most alive with the tail end of migration and the beginning of nesting.

Big Bear’s high altitude and clean air quality make for unparalleled sky-watching opportunities—by day and night. Perched above the north end of the lake, Big Bear Solar Observatory is equipped with solar telescopes that make it safe to look at the sun. Our dark night skies serve up some of the best stargazing in Southern California, too. Pack your binoculars, download star maps from bearvalleyastronomers.org, seek out a hilltop on the outskirts of town, and give your eyes time to adjust before you start looking up.

TIPS FOR STARGAZING IN BIG BEAR:

• Find a location away from nighttime lights and with a wide view of the sky. An elevated spot, like a hilltop, can work well.

• Your eyes might take 15-20 minutes to adjust to the darkness.

• When you reach the location where you’ll be stargazing, use a red flashlight to help your eyes stay adapted to the dark. (Most outdoor-equipment stores sell headlamps with red LEDs for this purpose.)

• New to stargazing? Try using a pair of binoculars. Many celestial objects, such as planets, will be visible through them.

#CFBB TIP: Always be sure to turn off unused and unnecessary outside and landscape lighting. Not only does this conserve energy, but it helps to maintain our dark skies.