BIG BEAR CITY, Calif., June 29 (Our Hesperia) — One of Jackie and Shadow’s eaglets, Sandy, fell from the Big Bear bald eagle nest Sunday morning during what Friends of Big Bear Valley described as an accidental fledge, or “fludge,” at the California wildlife site.
Friends of Big Bear Valley, which runs the nest’s live camera, said Sandy was flapping near the outer edge of the nest when she lost her footing, dropped to lower branches and then moved out of camera view. The group said the eaglet appeared to be on another branch or in another tree and was likely resting or getting her bearings.
The nonprofit said Jackie, Sandy’s mother, was nearby after the fall and that Jackie and Shadow would follow Sandy and continue to feed and care for her. Camera operators were still searching for the eaglet, the group said.
Sandy and her sibling Luna hatched in early April and were about 12 weeks old at the time of the incident, which is within the usual fledging window for young bald eagles described in coverage. Friends of Big Bear Valley said visitors should stay out of the habitat at this sensitive time.
