Hope returns to Big Bear Lake eagle nest as Jackie and Shadow lay new egg on FOBBV Eagle Nest Cam
Hope returned to the Big Bear Lake eagle nest on Feb. 24, 2026, when bald eagles Jackie and Shadow were seen laying a new egg on the FOBBV Eagle Nest Cam, weeks after ravens destroyed their first two eggs.
- New egg laid: A fresh egg appeared in the nest about 2:30 p.m. on Feb. 24, 2026, documented on the FOBBV Eagle Nest Cam and reported by ABC7 and CBS News.
- Earlier loss: Two eggs laid Jan. 23 and Jan. 26 were destroyed by ravens on Jan. 30 while the adults were away (ABC7, CBS News).
- What to watch: Bald eagle incubation averages about 35 days; additional eggs often appear in multi-day intervals, so more eggs could arrive soon (ABC7, CBS News).
The lay: what viewers saw on the FOBBV Eagle Nest Cam
Tuesday afternoon footage from the primary nest cam run by Friends of the Big Bear Valley showed Jackie climb into the bowl-shaped nest overlooking Big Bear Lake. Observers watched as she briefly inspected the egg, then flattened and began incubating while Shadow returned minutes later to perch nearby.
Conditions that day included recent snow melt, clear skies and mid-50s temperatures. FOBBV issued praise for Jackie’s attentive care in public updates after the lay (ABC7, CBS News, FOBBV live footage).
“FOBBV praised Jackie’s care for the new egg,” according to the organization’s live updates and recaps.
Loss and persistence: how the first clutch was taken
This nest has been closely followed since the region’s first post-recovery bald eagle hatch in 2012. The season’s heartbreak occurred when ravens breached and destroyed eggs laid on Jan. 23 and Jan. 26 during a several-hour window on Jan. 30 while the adults were absent. Fans worldwide expressed sadness, but Jackie and Shadow quickly resumed courtship, nest repairs and mating, signaling persistence and intent to try again (ABC7, CBS News).
Jackie and Shadow: the pair, their history, and nesting record
Who they are: Jackie (female) is believed to have hatched around 2012 and has been present since September 2016; Shadow (male) likely hatched around 2014 and has been in the area since May 2018. The pair nest in a tall tree overlooking Big Bear Lake in the San Bernardino Mountains.
Since 2012 the Big Bear nest has seen roughly a dozen eggs, with only a fraction surviving to adulthood. Notable recent successes include eaglets Sunny and Gizmo in 2025. Conservationists caution that roughly half of eaglets reach adulthood, underscoring ongoing habitat protection needs (local recaps and FOBBV footage, ABC7, CBS News).
Cam operations, community support and the human side of nesting season
The FOBBV Eagle Nest Cam streams the nest 24/7 and draws thousands of global viewers who follow nest repairs, territorial disputes, feeding and mating. FOBBV operates at least two camera views — a primary close-up and a wide-view Cam 2 — so watchers can track activity across the tree.
The organization also acknowledged the recent passing of wildlife activist Sandy Steers and thanked viewers for their support during nesting season, emphasizing the community’s role in sustaining camera operations and outreach (FOBBV cam, FOBBV Cam 2, CBS News).
What to expect now: incubation and possible outcomes
Incubation window: Bald eagle eggs typically incubate about 35 days. Because eggs are often laid two to three days apart, viewers should watch for additional eggs in the coming week. Even if eggs hatch, eaglets face threats from weather, predation and food scarcity; the ravens’ earlier attack highlights ongoing vulnerability.
Conservation groups and wildlife officials will monitor the nest closely through incubation and any hatchlings that follow (ABC7, CBS News).
Investigative questions and gaps
Local watchers and conservation-minded citizens may ask: What noninvasive deterrents could reduce raven predation without disturbing the eagles? Are park and forest managers monitoring predator pressure near the nest? Will FOBBV coordinate with wildlife agencies if ravens return? Detailed predator-management plans have not been publicly shared; such actions are typically handled case-by-case by managers and agencies (ABC7, CBS News).
Implications for Walla Walla, Washington
Although the nest is in Southern California, the FOBBV Eagle Nest Cam and the story of Jackie and Shadow have national reach. Local leaders, businesses and civic groups in Walla Walla can draw lessons in four areas:
- Economic: Streaming wildlife cams and live storytelling can boost tourism branding for wineries, B&Bs, guides and outdoor businesses.
- Political: The episode underscores how community support and local funding for habitat protection matter when officials weigh conservation programs.
- Social: Schools, churches and civic groups can use the cam for education and volunteer projects — watch parties, habitat cleanups and stewardship events strengthen civic ties.
- Practical: Residents can support raptors by maintaining mature trees, limiting disturbance near nests, securing trash to reduce scavengers, and supporting wildlife education; streams like the FOBBV cam are useful teaching tools.
Monitoring and public participation
FOBBV continues to post updates and host the live cams that made Jackie and Shadow known beyond the San Bernardino Mountains. Viewers are encouraged to watch, donate or volunteer through Friends of the Big Bear Valley to support camera operations and habitat outreach. Wildlife officials and conservation groups will keep a close eye on incubation and any hatchlings to see whether this new egg survives the full arc from lay to fledging (ABC7, CBS News, FOBBV live cam).
Sources: ABC7, CBS News, FOBBV live footage, FOBBV footage, FOBBV Cam 2.
