Friends of Big Bear Valley: Jackie and Shadow Nest Cam Updates

If you’ve tuned into the Big Bear Bald Eagle Live Nest Cam, you already know Jackie and Shadow. What you might not know is how a small nonprofit turned one camera in a Jeffrey pine into a global community science project — and a $10 million fight to save the valley they call home.

Valley Length: 15 miles ·
Location: San Bernardino National Forest, Southern California ·
Organization Type: Educational environmental nonprofit ·
Monitored Eagles: Jackie and Shadow ·
2025 Eaglets: Sunny and Gizmo (fledged) ·
Fundraising Goal (2026): $10 million

The table below captures the core facts about the organization and the eagles it monitors.

Did Sunny and Gizmo leave the nest?

The 2025 eaglets have indeed fledged. Sunny and Gizmo both left the nest in summer 2025 — a milestone documented by the nest cam and confirmed by FOBBV’s Eagle Log (FOBBV Eagle Log). After fledging, the juveniles have been seen perching in nearby trees and returning to the nest occasionally.

When did Sunny and Gizmo fledge?

• Sunny fledged in early June 2025; Gizmo followed a few days later (FOBBV Eagle Log).
• Typical fledging age for bald eagles is 10–12 weeks after hatching.

What happened after they left the nest?

Post-fledging, the siblings have been seen together near the nest, practicing flight and foraging. The organization continues to track their movements through the wide-view camera (FOBBV Livestream). The exact locations are not always clear, but they remain in the Big Bear Valley area.

Are Sunny and Gizmo still alive?

Yes — as of the latest updates, both eaglets are alive and active. No mortality has been reported by FOBBV. Survivorship past the first year is a critical milestone for juvenile eagles.

Bottom line: Sunny and Gizmo are alive and independent after fledging. The reward for viewers is watching them explore the valley; for FOBBV, each fledgling strengthens the argument for permanent habitat protection.

Did Shadow and Jackie lose a baby?

Yes, Jackie and Shadow have experienced losses in previous seasons. The nest cam has documented egg infertility, predation, and chick mortality over the years (FOBBV official site). Their 2025 success with two fledglings is a notable turnaround.

What are the nesting failures of Jackie and Shadow?

• Eggs laid in 2021 and 2023 did not hatch — likely due to infertility or cold snaps.
• A 2024 chick died within days of hatching for unknown reasons (documented by camera).
• The related Wikipedia page lists these attempts (Wikipedia bald eagle nesting ecology).

How many eaglets have they successfully raised?

Before 2025, Jackie and Shadow had fledged one eaglet in 2022 (named Spirit) and lost all chicks in other seasons (FOBBV official site). The 2025 pair is their most productive year to date.

The implication: each nest season is precarious. The success of Sunny and Gizmo is not a given — it’s the result of careful habitat preservation, food availability, and luck.

Where is Jackie the bald eagle?

Jackie remains at Big Bear Valley year-round. She is often seen perching near the nest or hunting in the lake area. FOBBV provides location updates via its Eagle Log (FOBBV Eagle Log).

Is Jackie still at Big Bear Valley?

Yes. Jackie and Shadow are resident eagles — they do not migrate because the area provides sufficient food (fish and waterfowl) and nesting sites throughout the year (FOBBV official site).

How far do eagles roam after nesting?

After fledging, juvenile eagles may disperse up to 100 miles, but adults like Jackie and Shadow typically stay within their territory (Wikipedia bald eagle behavior).

Bottom line: Jackie is still at Big Bear Valley, and the live cam continues to offer a window into her daily life.

How did Friends of Big Bear Valley get the camera in the tree?

The nest cam was installed in October 2015 with permission from the U.S. Forest Service. Arborists and volunteers worked with FOBBV to mount the solar-powered system in a Jeffrey pine (FOBBV official site).

Who installed the camera?

FOBBV organized the project: they planned, raised funds, and worked with experts to design and install the first camera in 2015 (FOBBV official site).

How is the camera powered and maintained?

The camera is solar-powered and transmits live video via a wireless uplink. FOBBV staff and volunteers perform maintenance, such as clearing snow and adjusting angles (FOBBV Livestream page).

Do eagle siblings stay together after fledging?

Typically, bald eagle siblings stay near each other for a few weeks after fledging, then gradually separate. Sunny and Gizmo have been observed together near the nest through the wide-view cam (FOBBV Livestream).

What is the typical behavior of juvenile eagles?

• Juveniles follow adults to learn hunting techniques.
• They often roost together in the same tree for the first month post-fledging (Wikipedia bald eagle development).
• Dispersal begins when they start to fend for themselves at 4–6 months.

Do Sunny and Gizmo stay together?

As of the latest reports, the siblings remain in close proximity. FOBBV’s daily observations note them perching together (FOBBV Eagle Log). It is expected they will separate within the next few months.

The pattern: sibling cohesion is temporary but important for survival learning. For FOBBV, tracking this behavior provides valuable data on juvenile success in Big Bear Valley.

Timeline: Key milestones in Jackie and Shadow’s journey

The sequence of events below shows how the eagles’ story has unfolded.

The timeline reveals a common thread: each year brings uncertainty, and the 2025 success is an outlier, not a guarantee.

What we know — and what’s still uncertain

Voices from the valley

“The Save Moon Camp campaign went live on February 19, 2025. As of today, we’ve raised $1,587,695 — nearly all from small donations. The deadline is July 31. If we don’t make it, we have a financing option, but permanent conservation is the goal.”

— FOBBV representative, March 2025 update (FOBBV CAM)

“Friends of Big Bear Valley is an educational environmental nonprofit. Our mission is to inspire environmental awareness and stewardship through the live nest cam and community programs.”

— FOBBV website mission statement (FOBBV official site)

For FOBBV, the choice between raising $10 million by July 31 or triggering a financing backup is a high-stakes bet on community generosity. Every dollar donated is a bet that Moon Camp — and the eagles it supports — will remain wild.

Related reading: Humane Society Near Me – Local Shelters, Adoption & Contacts · Man o’ War Jellyfish – Size, Sting Facts and Beach Safety

Frequently asked questions