Big Bear eaglet Sandy falls from nest in apparent first-flight attempt

BIG BEAR CITY, Calif., June 29 (Our Hesperia) — One of Jackie and Shadow’s eaglets, Sandy, fell from the Big Bear bald eagle nest Sunday morning during what Friends of Big Bear Valley described as an accidental fledge, or “fludge,” on its live camera.

The nonprofit said Sandy was flapping near the nest’s outer branch when she lost her footing, dropped to lower branches and moved out of the camera’s view. Friends of Big Bear Valley media manager Jenny Voisard said the group saw footage of Sandy flying to another tree and had not yet picked her up.

Friends of Big Bear Valley said Jackie was nearby after the fall and that Jackie and Shadow would follow Sandy and continue feeding and caring for her. The group said camera operators were still searching for the eaglet.

Sandy and her sibling Luna hatched in early April and were about 12 weeks old, a point in the usual fledging window for young bald eagles. Friends of Big Bear Valley also reminded visitors that it is illegal to be in the habitat at this sensitive time for the eagle family.