Friends of Big Bear Valley says Sandy was spotted flying to another tree after the alarming fall
Viewers watching the Friends of Big Bear Valley livestream on Sunday morning were treated to a heart-stopping moment when one of the famous Big Bear eaglets was seen losing her footing and tumbling from the family’s nest tree. The eaglet, named Sandy, was spotted at approximately 11:24 a.m. flapping her wings while standing on a branch near the nest when she lost her balance and dropped to a lower branch. The situation escalated quickly from there.
About a minute after the first fall, Sandy dropped again, landing on an even lower branch. By 11:30 a.m., she appeared to be hanging upside down from the branch before falling a third time, this time dropping entirely out of the live camera‘s view and leaving concerned viewers without an immediate answer about her condition.
The organization is remaining hopeful
Despite the alarming sequence of events, the Friends of Big Bear Valley moved quickly to reassure the public. In a statement to CBS LA, the organization confirmed that Sandy had been spotted flying and landing in a nearby tree, captured on a separate security camera that was not part of the main public livestream. The group described Sandy as likely hiding and getting her bearings following the ordeal, a natural response for a young bird adjusting to the world outside the nest.
The organization also confirmed that Sandy’s mother, Jackie, was in the area shortly after the incident, providing an additional layer of reassurance for the many followers who have been watching the eagle family’s progress since earlier this year.
Sandy and Luna have been closely followed since April
Sandy and her sibling Luna hatched in early April after parents Jackie and Shadow welcomed the two eaglets to their Big Bear nest. The pair were named in a process that drew significant public interest, with Sandy’s name chosen as a tribute to the late wildlife activist Sandy Steers, a beloved figure within the Friends of Big Bear Valley community.
The eaglets have been the subject of intense public attention ever since, with the livestream attracting a dedicated following of wildlife enthusiasts who have watched the young birds grow and develop over the past several months.
First flights could be just days away
In a detail that adds important context to Sunday’s incident, a Friends of Big Bear Valley blog post published Sunday morning indicated that both eaglets may be just days away from taking their first independent flights. What appeared to be a frightening fall may in fact be part of the natural process young eagles go through as they begin testing their wings and building the strength and confidence needed for flight.
The organization took the opportunity to remind the public that the habitat surrounding the nest is protected and that visiting the area during this sensitive period is not only discouraged but illegal. Keeping the space clear of human activity is considered essential to giving Sandy, Luna and their parents the best possible conditions as the eaglets approach this critical milestone.
Source: CBS News Los Angeles, Friends of Big Bear Valley