Jackie, a majestic bald eagle, carefully shakes off snow from her feathers as she settles onto a snowy hillside with a view of a beautiful California valley. Hidden beneath her is a warm and cozy nest, where she has been diligently protecting her three precious eggs from the harsh weather ever since a powerful storm hit the area last week.
Little does Jackie know, she is being watched by thousands of people around the world at any given moment. The 24-hour Big Bear Eagle Nest Cam has been live streaming since 2015, offering viewers a glimpse into the daily life of these magnificent birds. This initiative is made possible by the Friends of Big Bear Valley, a nonprofit organization dedicated to conservation and advocacy efforts.
Last week, during a strong storm in California, Jackie, a 12-year-old bald eagle, diligently guarded her nest with her partner Shadow.
The eagles call a pine tree in the San Bernardino Mountains their home, located around 100 miles to the east of the bustling city of Los Angeles.
Around two weeks ago, Jackie laid two eggs, with a third one following shortly before the storm arrived. As dangerous storms swept through California last week, Jackie and her mate Shadow braved the cold in front of the camera. The couple resides high in the San Bernardino Mountains, approximately 100 miles east of Los Angeles. Their nest has been actively used since the fall of 2013, as stated by Friends of Big Bear Valley. The surrounding area, which consists of national forest land, is closed to the public during nesting season to prevent disturbances that could cause bald eagles, like Jackie and Shadow, to abandon their nests. While historically the birds only wintered in Big Bear Valley to find food such as fish and waterfowl, they have recently made the decision to permanently reside there. When the first storm hit, Jackie laid the two eggs, and just before the storm hit, she laid the third one. She then hunkered down in the snow, only taking a break the next afternoon when the snow stopped falling. It was during this break that Shadow stepped in to provide support.
Jackie and Shadow have decided to call the valley their new home for the long term. In the past, birds would typically only visit during the winter months to find food that could not be found in the lakes farther up north.
When the snow arrived, Jackie settled in, only pausing the next day once the snow had finally ceased.
The duo alternated in keeping their eggs warm, a common practice among bald eagles.
During nesting, both male and female birds develop a featherless area known as a brood patch to help hold the eggs close to their bodies.
Biologist Sandy Steers, the executive director of the organization, observed Shadow seeing three eggs in the nest for the first time. He struggled to stretch his legs around all of them and realized he needed to arrange the eggs closer together to fit himself over the top.
The nest provided a stunning view of the thawing lake below, covered with a blanket of white powder. Suddenly, strong winds shook the nest, causing Shadow to look startled. Luckily, Jackie arrived in time to take over.
The pair exchanged strained chirps and switched places as the wind rattled their tree. Jackie bravely guarded her eggs as the rain turned to snow, shaking off the cold and persisting in her motherly duties.
Shadow came back to the nest carrying a stick, and Jackie graciously let him take over her spot on the nest.
Despite being covered in snow at times, the committed mother stood her ground and did not waver.
Jackie devoted a solid 35 hours to diligently keeping the eggs warm without taking a break.
While one parent kept watch over the nest, the other would go out hunting or sit perched close by.
Whenever Jackie needed to rest, she and Shadow smoothly switched positions.
According to Steers, during bad weather, eagles tend to fly less and prefer to perch to avoid the elements.
When incubating, they tend to stay very still, much like Jackie, in order to conserve energy.
Jackie only got up when necessary to adjust herself before settling back down, making sure not to harm her babies.
Both male and female eagles take turns sitting on the eggs, developing a brood patch on their chest during nesting to keep the eggs warm.
While one parent watches over the nest, the other goes out hunting or perches nearby.
During a 35-hour storm, Jackie remained dedicated to her nest.
Eagles can go over a day without eating due to their food storage pouch called the crop.
Once the weather cleared, Jackie took a break and Shadow took over, carefully turning the eggs with his beak to ensure proper heating and prevent embryos from sticking to the shells.
The activities of the birds are captured round the clock by the Big Bear Eagle Nest Cam, which was set up in 2015.
The organization known as Friends of Big Bear Valley, who supports the camera, has confirmed that the nest has been occupied since 2013.
Despite the blanket of snow covering the ground, Jackie remained motionless to save energy.
In California, the mating season typically spans from January through July or August.
Incubation typically lasts around 35 days. Jackie and Shadow faced a devastating loss last year when their two eggs were preyed upon by ravens after a prolonged incubation period.
Breeding season timing can change depending on the location, with California’s season usually extending from January to July or August. Incubation takes about 35 days, and the young chicks usually leave the nest when they are around 11 to 12 weeks old.
On February 29th, the ‘pip watch’ officially begins, marking the wait for the eggs to hatch. Viewers eagerly await this moment, but for Jackie, it’s just another day of motherhood.
Last January, she laid two eggs, only to face challenges when a heavy snowfall hit the valley. Unfortunately, the eggs took longer than expected to hatch, resulting in a heartbreaking loss for the eagle couple as their clutch was consumed by ravens live on camera in March.
