In an unsettling turn of events, the Big Bear bald eagles, Jackie and Shadow, absconded from their nest during the Independence Day fireworks, raising concerns among wildlife enthusiasts. The eagles, who have been local celebrities since their nest cam went live, were absent on the morning following the festivities but made a reassuring return Saturday evening, according to KTLA.
Amid the loud booms of the celebratory fireworks, Jackie and Shadow veered away from their roost just after 9 p.m., with Jackie emitting a warning call known as a peal call. Friends of Big Bear Valley, the non-profit organization monitoring the eagles, shared concern for the safety of the eagles who are unaccustomed to nocturnal flights, primarily due to their limited night vision. Sandy Steers, executive director of FOBBV, noted that while the senior eagles have made similar exits in previous years, the added worry this time was for the juvenile eagles, Sunny and Gizmo.
The community held its breath until the adult eagles were sighted again, first with a flyby at 5:30 p.m. followed by Shadow landing in the Twin Pine tree just after 7:00 p.m., and Jackie arriving shortly thereafter with vocalizations. The descriptive update from ABC7 also affirmed Jackie and Shadow were perched together by 8:30 p.m., prepared to roost for the night.
Sunny and Gizmo, who fledged in early June, continue to be unaccounted for, leaving researchers and followers in a state of wait-and-see. Their whereabouts remain uncertain, as the young eagles may have been further away within the territory still learning from Jackie and Shadow during the daytime hours. Friends of Big Bear Valley reported on their blog, reflecting wider concerns for all wildlife in after-effects of the fireworks display.
The Friends of Big Bear Valley notes that Jackie and Shadow are the sole known nesting pair of bald eagles in the Big Bear area since mid-2018. They, along with their offspring and other wildlife, are under the public glare afforded by the installed live cameras, which continue documenting the day-to-day activities and, occasionally, the impacts of human celebrations on the local fauna.
