“Fledge watch” has officially begun at the Big Bear bald eagle nest, where chicks Sunny and Gizmo have been seen regularly exercising the growing wings ahead of their first flights, which could be coming any day.
Sunny hatched in the nest perched high atop a Jeffrey Pine on March 4. Gizmo emerged from the shell three days later.
“Today Sunny is officially 10 weeks old, which starts Fledge Watch,” said Sandy Steers, who serves as executive director at the nonprofit organization Friends of Big Bear Valley, which installed and runs a 24-hour live stream of the nest that has thrust the family of raptors into an international spotlight.
“Based on their current development, it may be a bit longer before either is actually ready to fly, but each day brings new progress and curiosity,” she added in a social media update to eagle-eyed fans of the webcast.
‘Almost ready for liftoff’
The eaglets have been eagerly flapping their wings and making small hops as they get the hang of the physics of flight, showing they’re “almost ready for liftoff,” according to FOBBV.
Sunny has been spotted hoisting himself into the air for periods of about half a second.
“It takes a whole second of lift to be considered hovering, but Sunny is definitely getting close,” according to Steers.
Gizmo has followed suit, demonstrating the younger sibling is only slightly less advanced than Sunny, she added.
A bittersweet departure
The rapid progress has been bittersweet to watch for many of the countless regular viewers of the nest webcam around the globe, who expressed both joy in the chicks’ development, yet also dread the day when they will leave the nest for good.
“All of a sudden I don’t want them to fledge/leave home! I’ve become so attached to the whole family,” wrote one fan via Facebook.
“I know…..it is exciting but sad at the same time,” a commenter responded.
“I’m already a little teary eyed,” added another.
The eaglets have grown to match, and possible even exceed, the height of their father, 11-year-old Shadow, Steers said. But they’ve not quite matched the size of their 13-year-old mother, Jackie.
Once they first take flight, the eaglets will remain near their parents for several weeks or months as they master the art of aviation and hone their hunting skills, wildlife experts said.
Once ready, Sunny and Gizmo will strike out on their own to establish their own territories just about anywhere they see fit in North America.
“It will be a very bittersweet time when Sunny and Gizmo fledge and embark on their grand journeys, which may take them thousands of miles away from their natal home,” FOBBV representatives said.
Responsible eagle watching urged
As excitement continues growing around the Big Bear bald eagle nest, FOBBV urged those to decide to pay a visit in person to do so respectfully and ethically.
The nesting area lies on national forest land and is closed to the public, the organization said in a written statement.
“As our main guiding principle, we always ask to steer clear of sharing locations of perching sites inside or outside of the nesting habitat to avoid attracting crowds,” the statement said. “Crowding and increased human attention may result in perching site abandonment.”
“Our wish for the eagles is to be out there living their lives without our intrusions. Online nest cameras allow us to unobtrusively witness eagle lives up close and personal day by day. Our Nest Cam and Wide View Cam provide the best view of the nest and its surrounding habitat,” the statement continued.
“Ever since the first nest camera was installed in the Big Bear Valley, we have worked to ensure that Jackie and Shadow’s home remains undisturbed and safe for nesting,” the group added. “Animals cannot ask for personal boundaries or respect. Therefore, it is up to us to give them the space they need to live their lives, eat their dinner, meet their boyfriends and girlfriends, and make more animals. It is up to us to remain environmentally conscious and humble as we continue sharing our planet with many extraordinary creatures.”
Those who wish to get a gander of the birds in person are encouraged to take a slow drive, walk or boat tour around Big Bear Lake, keeping eyes fixes on the tallest trees, especially dead ones, which eagles like to perch on.
Representatives also suggest watching from Dana Point Park, where the nesting tree can be safely and legally viewed with binoculars or a spotting scope.
More information on Friends of Big Bear Valley is available on the organization’s website at friendsofbigbearvalley.org.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Fledge watch: Big Bear bald eaglets Sunny and Gizmo prepare to take first flights
Reporting by Brian Day, Palm Springs Desert Sun / Palm Springs Desert Sun
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
