Big Bear Eagles Lay New Egg After Ravens Destroy Earlier Pair; Fans Watch on Live Nest Cam
Big Bear’s bald eagle pair, Jackie and Shadow, laid a new egg at about 2:30 p.m. PT on Feb. 24, 2026, streamed live on the Friends of the Big Bear Valley nest cam, renewing hopes after January losses.
- New egg: Jackie laid the egg around 2:30 p.m. PT on Feb. 24, visible on the live nest cam; reported by CBS Los Angeles and ABC7 Los Angeles.
- Context: The egg follows two eggs laid Jan. 23 and Jan. 26 that were breached and destroyed by ravens on Jan. 30, according to reports from CBS Los Angeles and ABC7 Los Angeles.
- Incubation timeline: Bald eagle eggs typically incubate about 35 days; additional eggs are possible about three days apart (CBS Los Angeles).
Main coverage
A fresh egg, a careful mother
Tuesday afternoon viewers saw Jackie stand, inspect the newly laid egg, rearrange nest material and then settle back atop it. Shadow returned minutes later. The Friends of the Big Bear Valley (FOBBV), operators of the 24/7 nest cam, noted:
“Jackie did a great job and she is now resting.”
It remains unclear whether Jackie will lay more eggs this season. The lay was documented on camera and widely shared via the nest stream and social groups (CBS Los Angeles, ABC7 Los Angeles).
Why the second clutch matters
After the Jan. 30 raven attack that destroyed the first two eggs, many fans feared the pair might stop trying. Instead, Jackie and Shadow resumed active nesting behavior — mating, nest work and frequent feedings — showing persistence and adjustment after a visible setback (CBS Los Angeles, ABC7 Los Angeles).
What happened to the first eggs
Jackie laid eggs on Jan. 23 and Jan. 26. On Jan. 30, both were attacked and destroyed by ravens while the adults were away for several hours. FOBBV reported Shadow left around noon and Jackie did not immediately return; the adults may have been protecting territory or reacting to egg issues. The loss was captured by the nest cam and prompted a widespread emotional response (CBS Los Angeles, ABC7 Los Angeles).
Nesting activity and evidence before the new egg
In the weeks preceding Feb. 24, the pair showed repeated mating and nest preparation. Observers recorded multiple matings Feb. 20–23 across perch points including the so-called “front porch” and a lookout snag. Video captures show Jackie “pancaking” and nibbling Shadow’s neck before mating, and Shadow delivering fish and a coot on Feb. 20 while Jackie fed amid the last snowfall. Sub-adult intruders and ravens have contested the area, but the adults continued repairs and territorial calls (YouTube clip 1, YouTube clip 2).
About the Big Bear eagle nest cam and community response
The Friends of the Big Bear Valley run the live nest cam and a second wide-view camera, streaming 24/7 and drawing thousands of viewers worldwide. The cam has become a local and global touchstone; fans use FOBBV social accounts and private groups to post observations, research behavior and organize mutual support during losses like the Jan. 30 raid. The project’s popularity highlights the role of small nonprofits in wildlife monitoring and public education (YouTube clip 1).
Profiles: Jackie, Shadow and the nest
Jackie — adult female, unbanded, estimated hatched in 2012, resident near Big Bear since Sept. 2016. Shadow — male, unbanded, estimated hatched in 2014, resident since May 2018. Together they produced and raised several eaglets including fledged chicks in 2019, 2022 and 2025. The Big Bear Valley recorded its first known bald eagle chick in 2012; since then the pair has laid roughly a dozen eggs with a smaller number hatching and surviving (CBS Los Angeles, YouTube clip 1).
Survival and conservation context
Roughly half of eaglets reach adulthood, making each successful nest important to the local population. Habitat, food access on the lake, and disturbance affect outcomes. The live cam spotlights threats and the need for sustained habitat protection; public attention generates volunteers, donations and local pride that can translate into practical conservation work (CBS Los Angeles).
Weather and lay-day conditions
On the afternoon of the lay skies were clear and daytime highs reached the mid-50s Fahrenheit. Snow earlier in the week had melted, creating drier nesting conditions. Bald eagles can lay on snowy nests, but clearer weather likely made incubation and nest activity easier to follow on camera (CBS Los Angeles).
Local people and the project legacy
The nest cam project grew from community activists and volunteers. A recent report noted the passing of Sandy Steers, a wildlife advocate who helped launch the eagle cam and community engagement; her loss underscored how volunteer leadership and local knowledge shape wildlife projects in small mountain towns (CBS Los Angeles).
What to watch next
- Incubation timeline: Expect possible hatch in late March–early April if the egg is incubated; eggs typically take ~35 days (CBS Los Angeles).
- Nest security: Watch for renewed raven activity and sub-adult intrusions and how Jackie and Shadow respond (ABC7 Los Angeles).
- Community support: Continued viewership and stewardship help FOBBV monitor events so managers and researchers can learn about nesting success and threats (YouTube clip 1).
Implications for the United States
Economic: The nest cam draws tourism and media attention that benefits lodging, restaurants and small businesses; the global audience can translate into donations and increased park and trail use.
Political: The story highlights community-led conservation, volunteer monitoring and nonprofit management as a model of local stewardship favored by many rural and moderate-conservative audiences.
Social & Cultural: The cam fosters community pride and shared purpose; bald eagles are a national symbol and local nesting success reinforces connections to wildlife and tradition.
Practical applications
Residents and officials can apply the nest cam model to promote wildlife-friendly practices: secure trash, limit disturbance near nesting trees, and support nonprofit monitoring. Local investment in habitat, trail planning and education can improve nesting success without large new regulations.
Sources and where to watch
- CBS Los Angeles: reporting on the new egg and background
- ABC7 Los Angeles: timeline and the Jan. 30 raven incident
- YouTube clip 1: video capture of nesting behavior
- YouTube clip 2: additional nesting footage
- Friends of the Big Bear Valley: operators of the Big Bear eagle nest cam (watch via FOBBV pages and social media).
Readers who want to follow Jackie and Shadow can watch the Big Bear eagle nest cam and join local groups that support FOBBV. Continued viewership will document whether this egg hatches and how the pair fares through incubation and the busy weeks ahead.
