Big Bear Bald Eagle Watch
Posted: 08/12/26
It's been an honor to join you on your journey, Jackie. May you rest in peace.
Fly High Jackie...
Our hearts are heavy. Rest in peace, Jackie. You captured the hearts of Big Bear and so many beyond, reminding us all of the beauty, strength, and wonder of our mountain home.
Jackie and Shadow became two of Big Bear Lake’s most beloved wild residents.
Through the famous Big Bear Eagle Cam, operated by Friends of Big Bear Valley, people from around the world were invited into their nest to watch their story unfold — the quiet moments, the storms, the eggs, the eaglets, the heartbreaks, and the unforgettable joy.
Year after year, we watched Jackie and Shadow return to their nest, prepare for a new season, and face the challenges of life in the wild with strength, instinct, and a little bit of eagle personality that made us all smile. They gave Big Bear, and so many who followed from afar, a deeper connection to the beauty and wonder of this place.
Farewell, Jackie. We are overwhelmed with gratitude for the chance to watch your journey, cheer you on, and love you from below. You will always be part of Big Bear’s story.
Watch the Live Eagle Cam!
News From The Nest | 2026
August 8/10/2026 - With Jackie's PCV declining even further into the morning of August 10th, it is with great sadness that the team at Ojai Raptor Center announces the passing of Jackie the eagle following three weeks of intensive care.
August 8/05/2026 - The hard-working team at Ojai Raptor Center keeps up their efforts searching for a root cause behind Jackie's critical condition which has declined from a PCV content of 17% to 13%.
July 7/27/2026 - Jackie continues to pull through on her recovery, showing a rising packed cell volume (PCV) content of 17% from her initial 8% according to the dedicated team at Ojai Raptor Center.
July 7/20/2026 - San Dimas Raptor Rescue Team and Ojai Raptor Center has taken the eagle (likely to be Jackie) seen in the attack taken under their facilities wings for restorative / rehabilitative care.
July 7/19/2026 - An adult bald eagle was found on the ground near Dana Point Park following shortly after by an altercation between the eagle and two sub-adult eagles.
June 6/29/2026 - They've done it - Sandy & Luna have officially fledged! Even despite Sandy's accidental fledge earlier on in the day, both eaglets are now gliding safely through the skies making their accomplishment known!
May 5/01/2026 - The Bear Valley 3rd Grader votes have been cast - three cheers to the winning names and our newly named eaglets, Sandy and Luna!
April 4/04/2026 - At around 9:00 PM, eaglet #1 has broken out of it's egg with eaglet #2 following sometime after.
April 4/03/2026 - A pip? Yes there is! Let's keep our eagle eyes peeled for when the eggs hatch!
February 2/27/2026 - Woohoo! Jackie has laid her second egg of the new clutch!
February 2/24/2026 - Jackie has revealed her newly laid eagle egg for the month of February!
January 2/02/2026 - Tragedy has struck the nest with the loss of the two eagle eggs.
January 1/26/2026 - We have a second egg in the nest! Hip-Hip-Hooray!
January 1/23/2026 - A new egg has been laid! Let's all cheer on Jackie and hope for a good 2026 season.
Where To Safely View The Eagles
Even though the forest surrounding the eagle's nest remains off-limits during eagle season; there's still plenty of exciting opportunities to view the eagles.
Whether you're enjoying brisk walk in town, joining fellow bird-watchers on a chirp bird-walk, or going solo with your favorite binoculars in tow; one thing is certain, it's time to keep your eagle eyes, to the skies!
Chirp Nature Center (Info) | 578 Bonanza Trail, Big Bear Lake, CA 92315 |
Dana Point Park | 39369 N Shore Dr, Fawnskin, CA 92333 |
Captain John's Marina | 39369 N Shore Dr, Fawnskin, CA 92333 |
Poligue Canyon | 40380-40386 N Shore Ln, Big Bear, CA 92314 |
Alpine Pedal Path | 740 Stanfield Cutoff, Big Bear, CA 92314 |
Boulder Bay Park | 39098 Big Bear Blvd, Big Bear Lake, CA 92315 |
The Village | 652 Pine Knot Ave, Big Bear Lake, CA 92315 |
Eagle Protection - Forest Closure Order
Every year, the San Bernardino National Forest places a Forest Closure Order to protect the eagle habitat from human activity in their vicinity. Disturbances can cause eagles to abandon their nests, even when eggs or eaglets are present.
Please respect the forest closure in place from March 12, 2026. The closure includes:
- Gray's Peak Trailhead (closed until July 1, 2026) Map of Closure
- Grout Bay Picnic Area (closed until July 1, 2026) Read Closure Detail
Gates will be closed to block off these areas to traffic.
History of Bald Eagles in Big Bear
According to Friends of Big Bear Valley, the eagles’ nest has been in active use since the fall of 2013. The surrounding area is annually closed to the public to protect the eagles.
In 2012, the first bald eagle chick (at least the first in recorded history) hatched in the Big Bear Valley. She was successfully raised to fledge. Since then, about a dozen eggs have been laid with just a fraction of them hatching and growing to maturity. Roughly 50% of eaglets survive to adulthood, making protection of their nesting habitat that much more important.
And what about that neat camera capturing all the excitement? The Eagle Cam was first installed in the fall of 2015 and recorded its first eagle nesting season in 2017.
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