Jackie and Shadow, the beloved bonded bald eagle pair who reside high in the trees above Big Bear, California, have a second chance at hatching eaglets this year. Jackie laid the first egg of her second clutch Tuesday afternoon, February 24, 2026, giving eagle watchers a hopeful new beginning this season.
According to Friends of Big Bear Valley (FOBBV) and the Big Bear Eagle Nest Cam, Jackie laid the egg at 2:29:38 p.m. (cam time). By 2:35:13 p.m., the egg was clearly visible on the livestream. “This afternoon, Jackie laid the first egg of the second clutch,” FOBBV shared in a post titled, “A New Day… A New Egg…” The term “clutch” refers to the group of eggs laid in one nesting cycle.
As Victor Valley News reports, in the same Facebook post, FOBBV explained that viewers noticed familiar signs that egg-laying was imminent. Jackie spent extended periods “pancaking” in the nest, lying low over the bowl for longer than usual. During one of those sessions, her wings began to spread and droop, revealing more of the upper portion of her white tail feathers. Her eyes appeared sleepy, which are early indicators she would likely be laying an egg. As labor progressed, Jackie stood into a squatting position and let out a couple of squeals while her tail flapped up and down. She roused her feathers as more “tea kettle whistles” followed. Observers could see her body tense as she pushed the egg out. “Jackie did a great job and she is now resting,” FOBBV noted.
FOBBV also described what it called a moment of classic eagle timing. Shadow flew in with half a coot for Jackie shortly before the egg was revealed. He placed it in the nest and waited, appearing puzzled when Jackie did not immediately get up to eat, something she normally does quickly. Shadow eventually ate the entire coot himself. According to FOBBV, once Shadow “turned around to feak his beak, Jackie stood up and revealed the egg.” Shadow “took a look and took a closer look,” the group wrote. He later returned “with a bit of fluff for the egg” and waited nearby, though Jackie “wasn’t moving any time soon.”
It’s Been a Season of Highs and Lows
Last month revealed a tragic end to the pair’s first clutch. As ABC 7 News in Los Angeles reports, Jackie and Shadow’s nest was invaded by ravens while the bald eagles were away, breaching the two eggs Jackie had previously laid.
According to the FOBBV, which owns and operates the camera, Shadow left the nest around noon, and Jackie did not come in, leaving it unattended for several hours. At that point, the non-profit noticed that one of the eggs looked like it had broken. “We will never know why, but we are sure they had their reasons as they have been incubating the eggs faithfully,” the non-profit said in a post on social media last month. “It is possible Jackie and Shadow sensed something was wrong with the egg. They could have also been protecting their territory as many other bald eagles have been seen in the valley recently.”
It was later that afternoon when ravens came to the nest and breached both eggs, the non-profit said. Jackie later returned and continued to incubate one of the breached eggs. That egg eventually disappeared from the nest.
Then, just two weeks ago, FOBBV executive director Sandy Steers passed away on February 11. Steers was the eagles’ advocate and champion, and became the main public voice for Jackie and Shadow, regularly giving updates to fans worldwide on their comings and goings, successes and heartbreaks. FOBBV posted at the time, “It is with heavy hearts and great sadness to let our Friends of Big Bear Valley eagle family know. We will be providing more information in the future, but please give our team time to grieve and process this sad news.”
Carrying On Steers’ Legacy
The Friends of Big Bear Valley is continuing Steers’ work in trying to protect Jackie and Shadow’s nesting environment, by attempting to help raise $10 million to halt the “Moon Camp” housing and marina development near the treetop nest of popular bald eagle couple, Jackie and Shadow.
As Victorville Daily News reports, the money, which needs to be raised before August 2026, would be used to purchase the Fawnskin property, located less than one mile from Jackie and Shadow’s nest atop a nearly 140-foot Jeffrey pine tree near Big Bear Lake. Long before FOBBV Executive Director Sandy Steers passed away at her home on Feb. 11, 2026, she helped facilitate a limited purchase agreement between the developer that owns the property and the San Bernardino Mountain Land Trust, the nonprofit stated.
The trust has an opportunity to purchase Moon Camp for permanent conservatorship if it can raise the money in less than six months, FOBBV said. If the purchase is made, the U.S. Forest Service would own the property and protect the undisturbed land on the lake’s north shore, halting potential hazards to the eagle couple, any newly laid eggs, and a rare and endangered plant species, FOBBV stated.
“The destruction of this shoreline will make it more difficult for Jackie and Shadow to raise chicks and the disturbance may cause them to leave their nesting area altogether,” FOBBV claims. “FOBBV has partnered with SBMLT to lead the fundraising effort to Save Moon Camp – on behalf of Jackie and Shadow and the other endangered species that rely on the ecosystem,” the nonprofit stated.
The Moon Camp project is why FOBBV originally came to be, and stopping the development was Steers’ top priority as executive director, the nonprofit said. FOBBV and Steers have been fighting the development for nearly 25 years.
FOBBV said the public can help by visiting SaveMoonCamp.org to donate toward the purchase of the property.
New Egg, New Hope
Ever since the eggs were breached, fans of the beloved bald eagles had been waiting patiently to see if Jackie would lay a second clutch of eggs. Nesting season runs through April, so it’s possible Jackie could lay additional eggs.
FOBBV noted that Jackie typically lays two to three eggs per clutch, spaced about three days apart. If she follows that pattern, observers will begin watching for similar signs again on Friday. The pair has successfully raised several eaglets in the past, including Sunny and Gizmo last year.
To follow updates or watch the live cam, visit https://www.facebook.com/FOBBV.
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Photo Credit: Petar Marshall / Shutterstock.com