Two eaglets, Luna and Sandy, were observed safe and sound in their Big Bear nest Sunday morning, having remained at their aerie during a nearby Fourth of July fireworks display that prompted their parents, Jackie and Shadow, to temporarily flee.
The bald eagles, Jackie and Shadow, departed their nest on Saturday night when the fireworks show, organized by tourism entity Visit Big Bear, commenced. However, both parents returned Sunday morning to attend to their young. The eaglets, Luna and Sandy, were seen consuming fish on the nest cam shortly after 6 a.m. on Sunday.
The annual fireworks event has been a source of controversy, particularly concerning the nesting eagles. A Change.org petition garnered over 45,000 signatures, advocating for the relocation of the festivities or the adoption of a drone light show as an alternative. Despite these concerns, the event proceeded, with organizers citing its importance to the local economy.
Environmental advocates had expressed heightened anxiety this year due to the eaglets being on the verge of fledging, with their first flights occurring just days before the planned fireworks. While the eaglets were observed in nearby trees, they did not immediately return to the nest. The nonprofit Friends of Big Bear Valley, which operates the webcam, had previously warned officials in a letter that the eaglets' survival could be jeopardized if the parent eagles, Jackie and Shadow, were to abandon the area for an extended period, as had occurred in previous years.
Visit Big Bear emphasized the fireworks display's role as a significant economic contributor, especially following a winter with unusually low snowfall. "The fireworks show is a long-standing community tradition and an important economic driver for Big Bear’s local businesses, workers, restaurants, lodging properties, recreation providers, and families," the organization stated. They noted that the show is located approximately two miles from the eagles' nest and lasted about 30 minutes. The eagles and, at times, their eaglets were visible on the Friends of Big Bear Valley livestream into Sunday evening.
