You're probably thinking "we have bald eagles here?" Back before the pesticide known as "DDT" was invented, bald eagles use to inhabit much of Southern California! In the mid 1900's, this pesticide was used heavily and was also dumped into the ocean and rivers. This pesticide got into fish which is the bald eagles primary diet, once in the bald eagles system, it would cause their egg shells to be extra thin and not able to be incubated. Basically, they could not successfully have chicks, this lead to the near extinction of bald eagles. In 1972, a ban was placed on the production and use of DDT. The comeback of the bald eagles was due to that ban and several rehabilitation efforts including into the Channel Islands which they had disappeared from entirely.

Before DDT, there was a pair that called Laguna Beach their home although there have still not been any bald eagle sightings in Laguna Beach since then, likely because it's just not the type of habitat they seek out. Now days, there are man-made reservoirs here in Orange County and since bald eagles are primarily fish eaters, these reservoirs provide more habitat for them. Now days, there are over 10 bald eagles that can be found throughout Orange County including two nesting pairs. Some bald eagles do migrate seasonally but it seem that the bald eagles in Orange County don't migrate because there is available food year-round with a moderate climate for them.

If you see a bald eagle in Orange County, consider yourself very lucky because they are still tricky to find especially since they spend most of their day perched in trees and not flying. Enjoy the rare sight and take some photos but do not harass or disturb them. Although bald eagles were taken off the endangered species list, they are still federally protected which means you can face big trouble for harassing them, this includes even picking up a feather from a bald eagle. Leave them alone and DO NOT post their nesting locations on social media ever!