The year 2020 started off with a bang at Big Bear Lake, as mated eagles Jackie and Shadow welcomed their first egg (laid live on nest cam) on Wednesday, January 8th. Their second egg followed just three days later, on January 11th.
During nesting season, the northwest side of the lake is closed (see map below), and people are urged to stay away from the area to protect the nest. However, you can still catch an up close and personal view of Jackie, Shadow, and their eggs on the Friends of Big Bear Valley’s live nest cam:
Area closure map:
According to the San Bernardino National Forest, mom Jackie will most likely be doing most of the incubating, a process that typically takes about 35 days after the second egg is laid. The eggs are expected to hatch in mid-February, meaning Big Bear can expect a special Valentine’s Day present!
A Brief History of Jackie and Shadow
In 2012, Jackie (or “Jack” before it was discovered she was female) became the first eaglet hatched in the history of Big Bear Valley. She was born to eagle mates Ricky and Lucy, who would have their second eaglet, Shadow, a few years later in 2015. Three years later, Jackie and eagle partner Mr. B had two chicks, Stormy and Big Bear Baby, but only Stormy survived. Last year in March, Jackie had two more chicks, Simba and Cookie, with her new partner, Shadow. Only Simba survived, and left the nest that July. Jackie and Shadow’s newest eaglets have yet to be named.
Bald eagles have historically wintered in Big Bear Valley only when other food sources weren’t available further north. Jackie and Shadow are the only bald eagles living in Big Bear Valley year-round.
To follow the latest updates on the new eggs, visit www.FriendsOfBigBearValley.org. Check out a comprehensive timeline of Big Bear’s eagles. And, keep an eye out for upcoming eagle-related events at Chirp Nature Center on our Activities page.
