Luna, one of Big Bear Lake’s two bald eaglets, took a leap of faith at 9:24 a.m. June 29, and flew to a nearby tree where Shadow was perched.
“No hesitation, he just knew he could do it,” wrote Friends of Big Bear Valley online, the organization that operates the popular 24-hour live stream that has followed the incubation journey of eagle couple Jackie and Shadow over the past few years.
Luna’s flight comes one day after sibling Sandy took an “accidental flight” as she fell from the nest shortly before 11:30 a.m. June 28. After the fall, Sandy flew to an area out of view. According to FOBBV, Sandy looked good in her flight and is likely relaxing after her unexpected adventure.
Jackie and Shadow’s previous eaglet, Gizmo, born in March 2025, also lost her balance and accidentally fledged last year.
Jackie and Shadow will now follow the eaglets wherever they go and make sure they are fed and cared for. Currently, the organization’s camera operators are searching for the eaglets.
FOBBV reported hearing distant vocals between Jackie and a bird they believe is Sandy on June 29. Once Sandy and Luna are more comfortable making their way around the habitat, family gatherings will likely occur, hopefully on camera.
“Though it is up to Sandy and Luna, in the past, the eaglets have come back to the nest to eat, sleep or just hang out together. Only time will tell,” FOBBV wrote on social media.
Fans celebrate the fledglings
Fans from around the world have been keeping tabs on the progress of the Big Bear eaglets, especially after a heart-wrenching loss of Jackie’s first clutch of the year in January 2026.
“It’s been an emotional 24 hours,” onlooker Jenny Krieger Brooks from Michigan commented on Facebook. “While it’s both happy and sad to see them go, it is for the best. I do wonder if Sandy’s absence spurred Luna on to fledge, but he certainly seemed ready! I continue to hope and pray Sandy is ok, physically and that we’ll continue to see them in the area for a little while.”
Toni M. Villagomez commented on FOBBV’s fledgling post that she’s glad both eaglets fledged before the Fourth of July, and that she was worried the fireworks might spook them.
Brad Beaver said he knew today was the special day Luna would leave and chalked the decision to loneliness. “It was a beautiful take-off and flight. You could see Shadow on the limb of the Simba Tree watching and waiting! Now, in a few days we are going to get to watch their next chapter together.”
McKenna Mobley is a reporter for the Daily Press. She can be reached at mmobley@usatodayco.com or on Instagram @mckenna_dailypress.
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Big Bear eaglet nest now empty as both Sandy and Luna fledge
Reporting by McKenna Mobley, Victorville Daily Press / Victorville Daily Press
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By McKenna Mobley, Victorville Daily Press | USA TODAY Network
