Big Bear bald eagles egg: Jackie and Shadow lay third egg after raven attack, nest cam shows renewed hope
Big Bear Lake (High Desert News Online) – On February 24, 2026, Big Bear Lake eagles Jackie and Shadow laid a third egg, captured live on the Friends of Big Bear Valley nest cam — a hopeful turn after ravens breached and destroyed two earlier eggs in late January.
- New clutch: Jackie produced an egg at about 2:30 p.m. Feb. 24, 2026, as seen on the Friends of Big Bear Valley live nest cam.
- Second attempt: This is the first egg of a possible second clutch after two eggs laid Jan. 23 and Jan. 26 were destroyed by ravens on Jan. 30.
- Incubation note: Bald eagle eggs typically incubate about 35 days, with additional eggs often spaced roughly three days apart.
Nest cam capture and immediate behavior
What happened Feb. 24: Around 2:30 p.m. Jackie laid the egg, stood to inspect and rearrange nesting material, then settled on the egg while Shadow returned minutes later. Viewers worldwide watched the moment on the main cam and recaps.
“Camera viewers and local stewards saw Jackie repair the nest and settle on the new egg, signaling determination to try again this season.”
Background on Jackie and Shadow
Jackie (female) and Shadow (male) are unbanded wild bald eagles nesting above Big Bear Lake in the San Bernardino Mountains. Jackie likely hatched circa 2012 and was first seen locally in 2016; Shadow is estimated to have hatched around 2014 and became a resident in 2018.
The pair have become an emblem of local stewardship and attract viewers and visitors from across the region and the globe.
2026 nesting season: losses, persistence and renewed effort
The season began with two eggs laid on Jan. 23 and Jan. 26. On Jan. 30, ravens breached the nest while the adults were away and destroyed both eggs. Cameras showed Jackie attempting to incubate a cracked egg briefly before it failed.
After the loss, the pair remained at the nest: they repaired the structure, exchanged sticks and straw, displayed courtship behaviors and resumed mating. Mid-February activity — bringing fish and defensive territorial behavior — signaled they intended to try again.
Threats, protections and what went wrong in January
Ravens are opportunistic and will probe nests when parent birds are absent. Land managers say the Jan. 30 breach occurred during an extended parental absence, allowing ravens to enter and destroy eggs. Wildlife officials emphasize vigilance, habitat protection and public awareness to reduce such losses.
More broadly, eagle eggs and chicks face natural risks and human-related hazards. Nationwide, roughly half of eaglets survive to adulthood, underscoring the value of local stewardship and careful monitoring.
The eagle cam and the community that watches
The Friends of Big Bear Valley nonprofit operates multiple cameras streaming the nest 24/7. The live feeds and archived clips let a global audience follow courtship, nest work and rearing behavior. Recent recaps and footage are available on the FOBBV YouTube channels: main cam and recaps, Cam 2 and additional footage, and additional nests and highlights.
Community role: Volunteers donate to camera upkeep, share observations and warn against disturbances. FOBBV also acknowledged recent community losses, including the passing of volunteer wildlife activist Sandy Steers, and thanked supporters for continued vigilance.
Implications for the High Desert, California
Economic: The eagle cam draws tourism — lodging, dining and guides — and supports donations and volunteer programs that benefit the local economy.
Political and social: The story resonates with community-led conservation values and may prompt calls for local investments in trail management, camera maintenance and habitat restoration rather than broad regulatory measures.
Practical actions for residents:
- Respect posted nest buffers and avoid approaching known nesting trees.
- Do not fly drones near nests; report disturbances to local rangers or wildlife authorities.
- Consider donating to or volunteering with the Friends of Big Bear Valley to support camera and monitoring efforts.
- Support habitat restoration that maintains fishable waters and healthy forests.
Where to watch and follow
Follow the live feeds and recaps on YouTube: Main cam and recaps; Cam 2 and additional footage; Additional nests and highlights.
Regional news coverage documenting the Feb. 24 egg-laying and the January losses includes CBS Los Angeles coverage and ABC7 Los Angeles coverage.
Monitoring and next steps
Incubation is expected to run near 35 days per egg. Observers cannot yet tell whether Jackie will lay more eggs this season; if she does, additional eggs will likely arrive at about three-day intervals. Monitoring will continue on the FOBBV feeds as local stewards and viewers watch closely for the outcome.
Key reminder: Respect the nest area and support community-based conservation efforts to give this nesting attempt the best chance of success.
