SAN JACINTO - Nature lovers willing to brave the elements to look for bald eagles are being asked by the U.S. Forest Service to join rangers this weekend in the San Bernardino and San Jacinto mountains.

The Forest Service will be conducting eagle counts Saturday morning around Big Bear Lake, Lake Arrowhead, Lake Hemet, Lake Perris and Silverwood Lake. Volunteers must be willing to commit an hour of their time to make map notations about where the predatory birds are nesting.

No bird-watching experience is needed; just warm clothes and a pair of binoculars, according to rangers. Advertisement

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USFS spokesman John Miller said each eagle count will be preceded by a brief orientation meeting at designated locations.

Eagles generally nest in the lakeside areas from late November to early April, according to the USFS.

The Forest Service's 35th winter census got under way last month and will continue on sporadic weekends through the first part of March.

Anyone interested in volunteering for the eagle count at Lake Hemet is asked to call (909) 382-2935; at Lake Perris, (951) 940-5600; Big Bear Lake, or Lakes Arrowhead and Gregory, (909) 382-2832; and Silverwood Lake, (760) 389- 2303.