Friends Of Big Bear Valley

One of Big Bear’s most-watched eaglets had a dramatic Sunday morning. Sandy plunged from a nest branch after a collision with her brother, Luna, then managed to fly away shortly afterward, reassuring Friends of Big Bear Valley that she appeared to be fine. “She’s fine,” said Jenny Voisard, media manager with Friends of Big Bear Valley, in a brief interview early Sunday afternoon. “I would just urge everyone to be calm.” Thousands of viewers were watching the livestream when Sandy tumbled at 11:24 a.m., and the moment quickly spread through Big Bear eagle fan groups. The nonprofit later explained that Luna tried to jump over Sandy to get back to the nest, Sandy lost her footing, and she fell onto branches below. Key Moment What Happened Reported Outcome 11:24 a.m. Sandy fell from the branch after contact with Luna She freed herself and later flew out of view 11:30 a.m. Security camera caught movement near the nest tree Sandy was seen flying to another area Friends of Big Bear Valley said Sandy later freed herself from the branches and could be heard squeesing below the nest. Jackie, the eaglets’ mother, arrived within minutes and landed below the nest to keep watch over her offspring. At 11:30, the security camera captured Sandy flying from the nest tree area to another area out of view, making it difficult to determine exactly where she landed. The group said Sandy looked good in flight and was likely resting after her unexpected adventure. What Viewers Saw on the Livestream Many viewers reacted in real time as the plunge unfolded, with more than 20,000 people watching the live cameras on Sunday morning. After Sandy left the nest area, her brother Luna could be seen looking around and chirping loudly as he remained on the front porch branch. Voisard said Luna had been looking for his sibling since she left. By Sunday evening, he was still perched on the front porch branch, keeping watch in the dark. Why The Eaglets Were Ready To Fledge Voisard said earlier this month that eaglets usually fledge 10 to 14 weeks after birth. Signs that they are ready include hovering in the nest by flapping their wings and branching out onto nearby limbs. Those behaviors were visible this weekend, as one eaglet stayed near the nest while the other moved between the branch and the nest. Both stretched their wings at times, appearing close to taking flight. Sandy and Luna made their debut on April 4 and 5, and they have been the focus of the 24/7 livestream run by Friends of Big Bear Valley. The nonprofit’s cameras have helped turn Jackie and Shadow’s nest into a widely followed wildlife watch. Protection Around The Nest Remains A Priority Voisard also reminded people that it is illegal to enter a bald eagle habitat and urged them to stay clear of the area. She said the faint voices heard on the webcam after Sandy fell were not those of Friends of Big Bear Valley or the webcam operator. After fledging, young bald eagles often remain near their parents for a time before eventually moving on. According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, young bald eagles are nomadic in their first few years and may travel far before settling down to mate and build a nest. Sandy’s flight came about two weeks after Friends of Big Bear Valley held a celebration of life for its late Executive Director, Sandy Steers, who died in February. Steers helped pioneer the use of webcams that stream the daily lives of Jackie and Shadow, with the first camera installed in 2015 and a second added in 2021. The organization has also been working to protect the nest’s surrounding habitat. Before Steers died, she was helping lead a fight against a 50-luxury home development less than a mile from the nesting ground and helped negotiate a $10 million land purchase agreement with the developer. As of mid-June, more than $3 million had been donated to the cause. Friends of Big Bear Valley said its mission is centered on protecting and conserving Jackie and Shadow’s habitat through monitoring, education and advocacy while helping people connect with nature. This is a developing story and will be updated. Staff writers Samantha Gowen and Sean Emery contributed to this report. Sandy’s unexpected plunge became an instant reminder of why the Big Bear eagle cameras continue to draw such intense attention. Even after the scare, the young eaglet’s first flight left viewers watching closely for the next sign that she and Luna are settling into life beyond the nest. Read more at: www.sbsun.com

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