BIG BEAR CITY, Calif., June 29 (Our Hesperia) — One of Jackie and Shadow’s eaglets, Sandy, fell from the Big Bear bald eagle nest Sunday morning during what Friends of Big Bear Valley described as an accidental fledge, or “fludge,” on its live camera feed.
The nonprofit, which operates the 24/7 nest cam in Big Bear, said Sandy was flapping near the nest’s outer branch when she lost her footing and dropped to lower branches before moving out of view. Friends of Big Bear Valley said the bird appeared to end up on another branch or in another tree.
Friends of Big Bear Valley media manager Jenny Voisard told the Los Angeles Times the organization had footage of Sandy flying to another tree and had not picked her up. She said the bird was probably resting.
The organization said Jackie was nearby after the fall and that Jackie and Shadow would follow Sandy and continue to feed and care for her. Camera operators were still searching for the eaglet after the incident, according to the nonprofit.
Sandy and her sibling Luna hatched in early April and were about 12 weeks old at the time of the fall, according to Friends of Big Bear Valley’s nest history and reports based on the livestream. Coverage said young bald eagles typically fledge at about 10 to 14 weeks.
CBS Los Angeles reported that Friends of Big Bear Valley also urged visitors to stay away from the habitat during the sensitive nesting period.
