BIG BEAR CITY, Calif., June 29 (Our Hesperia) — One of Jackie and Shadow’s eaglets fell from the Big Bear bald eagle nest Sunday morning during what Friends of Big Bear Valley described as an accidental first-flight attempt, leaving the bird out of the live camera’s view.
The nonprofit, which operates the nest camera, said Sandy was on or near the nest’s outer branch when she flapped, lost her footing and dropped to lower branches before moving away from the camera and into another tree. Friends of Big Bear Valley said it believed Sandy was likely resting or getting her bearings.
The group said Jackie, Sandy’s mother, was nearby after the fall and that Jackie and Shadow would continue to follow and care for her. Camera operators were still searching for Sandy after the incident.
Sandy and her sibling Luna hatched in early April and were about 12 weeks old when the fall happened, which is within the typical fledging window for young bald eagles reported in the coverage as roughly 10 to 14 weeks.
Friends of Big Bear Valley also reminded visitors to stay out of the habitat during this sensitive time for the eagle family.
