A Big Bear eaglet named Sandy fell from her bald eagle family’s nest on Sunday during a livestream, dropping from branch to branch before disappearing from the live camera. Friends of Big Bear Valley said it is remaining positive that she is OK, noting they sa
On a live screen in Big Bear, it happened in plain sight.
At about 11:24 a.m. on the Friends of Big Bear Valley livestream, one of the eaglets—later identified as Sandy—could be seen flapping her wings while standing on a branch near the nest. For a moment, it looked like routine practice. Then she lost her footing and fell to a lower branch.
About a minute later, Sandy dropped down again, landing on an even lower branch. At 11:30 a.m., she appeared to be hanging from the branch upside down before falling a third time. After that, she was out of view from the live camera.
Friends of Big Bear Valley said it was staying positive after the scare. In a statement to CBS LA. the organization said. “Fortunately we saw her fly and land on another tree from our security camera.” It added: “Right now she is likely hiding out and getting her bearings.” The group also confirmed that Sandy’s mother. Jackie. was nearby after the incident.
The livestream moment landed after a family milestone. Jackie and her mate, Shadow, welcomed their two new family members in early April, later named Sandy and Luna. The organization said Sandy was named after the late Friends of Big Bear Valley wildlife activist Sandy Steers. It did not immediately provide additional details about the eaglets beyond their names.
The timing of Sunday’s fall comes as the eaglets approach a major change in their lives. A Friends of Big Bear Valley blog posted Sunday morning indicated that the eaglets could be just days away from taking flight for the first time.
Alongside the livestream update, the organization urged people to keep away from the habitat. “We also remind everyone that it is illegal to be in the habitat at this sensitive time for our eagle family,” Friends of Big Bear Valley said.
Big Bear bald eagle eaglet Sandy Friends of Big Bear Valley livestream Jackie Shadow wildlife activist Sandy Steers habitat rules