Big Bear CA Eagle Cam - 2022 - 2023

To store all archived 'Other North American Eagle Cams' topics

Moderator: N Amer Eagle Cam TA's

Locked
User avatar
Maddy
Topic Assistant
Posts: 51309
Joined: Feb 28, 2018

Big Bear CA Eagle Cam - 2022 - 2023

Post by Maddy » Thu Sep 22, 2022 1:48 pm

Welcome to 2022-2023 Nesting Season
in the Big Bear Bald Eagle Nest

At Big Bear Lake in Southern California near Fawnskin, inland from Los Angeles.
Image
Big Bear Lake.jpg
2 cams are up and running, one of them is with chat, thanks to the Friends of Big Bear Valley.

Link to the cam with chat - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4-L2nfGcuE

NEW Wide View Cam provides an opportunity to see the eagles fly into the nest from the lake
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qk_rwltHYpc

Hosted by FriendsofBigBearValley.org - https://friendsofbigbearvalley.org/

Friends of Big Bear Valley Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/Friends-of-Big ... 8029491602

LINK TO LAST SEASON'S THREAD
viewtopic.php?f=44&t=592&p=504543#p504543

Big Bear Valley's current weather conditions: http://www.bensweather.com/
Image
E9 is 7 yo now

User avatar
Maddy
Topic Assistant
Posts: 51309
Joined: Feb 28, 2018

Re: Big Bear CA Eagle Cam - 2022 - 2023

Post by Maddy » Thu Sep 22, 2022 1:48 pm

The nest is the current home for Jackie and Shadow, a local bald eagle pair.
Jackie & Shadow (2).jpg
Jackie and Shadow, Jackie is on the right
1 J & S close (2).jpg
1 J S.jpg
1 J S.jpg (43.09 KiB) Viewed 4223 times
Jackie is larger than Shadow. She has a more "fierce" or "stern" look.
Jackie’s beak is both longer and thicker from top to bottom than Shadow’s.
Jackie is 9 years old and Shadow is 7 years old.

How to tell Jackie and Shadow apart?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NR6MtKyybNs
Image
E9 is 7 yo now

User avatar
Maddy
Topic Assistant
Posts: 51309
Joined: Feb 28, 2018

Re: Big Bear CA Eagle Cam - 2022 - 2023

Post by Maddy » Thu Sep 22, 2022 1:49 pm

You can read about Eagle History in the area here: viewtopic.php?f=44&t=592&p=504543#p504543

History of the nest from 2016:

7 of October 2016, Jackie visits the nest (first sightings) my scaps from video by Janntonne https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AV157xDo2Iw
999a99a99a3a10.jpg
1 Aoct7Jackie.jpg
and another video from October 13 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjb1oy6xc-g
2017. A sub-adult female the right age started hanging out at the nest deserted by Ricky and Lucy, she was called Jackie. She took over the old nest with the cam on it, with a new mate, that the Forest Service named Mr. B. It is not known where Mr. B might be from since he also is not tagged.
Jackie and Mr. B mated (on camera!), but Jackie did not lay eggs. Since she was only just five years old (determined by her feather coloration patterns), it is possible she was still too young.

2018. Jackie laid eggs, which hatched and were named (again by the 3rd graders), Stormy and BBB (for Big Bear Baby).
Mr BB and the kids.jpg
Mr BB and the kids.jpg (58.16 KiB) Viewed 4210 times
Mr BB with Stormy and BBB - a scap by RitaR
BBB did not survive a severe 24-hour rainstorm and the following freezing temperatures. The chicks at that point were 6-1/2 weeks old, too big to fit completely under their parents to stay dry and did not yet have all of their waterproof plumage, it was believed he died from exposure.
Stormy survived. And went on to worldwide fame thanks to U.S. Forest Service press releases that were picked up by the media. When Stormy was almost eight weeks old, he was banded, with a band on each ankle. Stormy’s identifying band is purple with the number JR1 on it. He fledged successfully on April 26th.
Stormy, photo courtesy of photographer in Big Bear Mike N Trish Marzell ‎
Stormy flying.jpeg
Stormy flying.jpeg (31.61 KiB) Viewed 4209 times
Stormy left the Big Bear Valley a couple of months later.

and on 4-06-2019 in Camulos, Ventura County, CA, Stormy was encountered as “deceased” :cry1:
Stormy sad news.jpg
Stormy sad news.jpg (80.21 KiB) Viewed 1549 times

02-11-2018 Big Bear 🙏🦅Stormy💔🙏 +04-06-2019 Camulos Ventura County, CA. :brknhrt:

During the summer when the eagle family was still using the nest with Stormy, an adult male intruder showed up to the nest and with great tenacity, refused to leave no matter how much Jackie, Mr. B and Stormy tried to chase him away. The new male was called Shadow because initially it was believed him to be one of Ricky and Lucy’s fledglings named Shadow.
This is a video by knarley123 of Shadow being seen for the firs time on 29 of May
https://youtu.be/5NHP02lLiCI
and my scap from it
Shadow (2).jpg
He started moving sticks around the nest right away! :D
Image
E9 is 7 yo now

User avatar
Maddy
Topic Assistant
Posts: 51309
Joined: Feb 28, 2018

Re: Big Bear CA Eagle Cam - 2022 - 2023

Post by Maddy » Thu Sep 22, 2022 1:56 pm

And then Shadow is back again in June, a scap of RitaR
back again.JPG
back again.JPG (88.81 KiB) Viewed 4205 times
And here he is with Jackie in July, a scap of jwin36
Jackie and Shadow.jpg
Jackie and Shadow.jpg (62.03 KiB) Viewed 4202 times
Mr. B eventually left the area and Shadow since then is the resident male eagle and Jackie’s current mate.

2019. Jackie laid her eggs on March 6 and 9th, and the eggs hatched on April 14 and 15th.
The chicks were named Simba and Cookie.
Shadow watches Cookie hatch as Mom feeds Simba 4-15-19 - Maddy's photo (1).jpg
Shadow watches Cookie hatch as Mom feeds Simba 4-15-19 - Maddy's photo (1).jpg (61.46 KiB) Viewed 4197 times
Image
E9 is 7 yo now

User avatar
Maddy
Topic Assistant
Posts: 51309
Joined: Feb 28, 2018

Re: Big Bear CA Eagle Cam - 2022 - 2023

Post by Maddy » Thu Sep 22, 2022 2:02 pm

Simba and Cookie :rh:
2 Two adorable chicks 4-27-19.JPG
2 Two adorable chicks 4-27-19.JPG (67.1 KiB) Viewed 4195 times
Both Cookie and Simba were banded, Simba with ID # ZR1, Cookie #ZJ1.
Both eaglets were determined to be males during the banding process.
My scap on May 20.
3 The kids by Maddy 5-20-19.jpg
At six weeks old, Cookie did not survive a rain and snowstorm followed by freezing temperatures.
We lost our precious Cookie on May 27, 2019. :brknhrt:
Simba continued to thrive and fledged successfully at 100 days old on July 23, 2019.
Simba on the day before he fledged (my scap).
1 Simba on the left branch from Maddy 7-22-19.jpg
Image
E9 is 7 yo now

User avatar
Maddy
Topic Assistant
Posts: 51309
Joined: Feb 28, 2018

Re: Big Bear CA Eagle Cam - 2022 - 2023

Post by Maddy » Thu Sep 22, 2022 2:03 pm

Simba was last seen on the nest when he was 122 days old.
He eventually left the Big Bear Valley.
He was last seen on August 18th; he was 126 days old. Photo courtesy of Richard Diamond
1 Simba.jpg
.

And on 9-03-2020 in Fournoy, Tehama County, CA Simba was encountered as “deceased”.. :cry1:
04-14-2019 Big Bear 🙏🦅Simba💔🙏 +09-03-2020 Fournoy Tehama County, CA. :brknhrt:
Simba D (2).jpg
Simba D (2).jpg (77.45 KiB) Viewed 1551 times
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsZ0NNP2Oag
2020. Jackie laid her eggs on January 8 and 11th.
The eggs failed to hatch and were determined non-viable. After incubating the eggs for more than 60 days, in mid-March Jackie and Shadow started leaving the eggs unattended for periods of time. This was normal behavior given the situation. A raven came to the nest, cracked the eggs and ate some of the contents. The eggs did not have any noticeable development; they were either not fertilized or development was stopped early on. Jackie and Shadow continue to work on the nest and visit often.

2021. Jackie laid the first egg of the 2021 season on January 6. But for unknown reasons Jackie and Shadow were not fully incubating or protecting the nest after this egg was laid. The next morning a raven destroyed that first egg. Jackie laid a second egg on January 9. She and Shadow incubated it a bit more than the first, but it was still often left unattended. On January 13 Jackie laid a 3rd egg that seemed to have been broken before the laying process was complete. After that, Jackie did not seem focused on incubating the egg #2 and it was eaten by a raven the next day.
In February, Jackie laid a 2nd clutch of eggs, the first one on the 8th and second one on the 11th.
9999a95a90.jpg
2 2nd clutch (2).jpg
They diligently incubated and protected this clutch. On March 18 the first egg started the hatching process. Even though we heard the eaglet’s chirps that evening, by the next morning there was no progress in the hatching and no longer heard or saw any signs of life. The eaglet did not survive the hatching process.
Jackie and Shadow continued to incubate the second egg. After 51 days of incubating (normal hatching time is usually 38 to 43 days), Jackie and Shadow started leaving this egg unattended for short periods of time. On April 17 a raven cracked that now-unviable egg open. It appeared that the chick had never fully developed.
Though the loss of the eggs seemed to impact Jackie and Shadow, they recovered over the next few days and continued to visit the nest. Since then they have visited the nest most days, often in the early morning or late afternoon, bringing sticks and nesting material and bonding as a pair.
1 J & S working together.jpg
Image
E9 is 7 yo now

User avatar
Maddy
Topic Assistant
Posts: 51309
Joined: Feb 28, 2018

Re: Big Bear CA Eagle Cam - 2022 - 2023

Post by Maddy » Thu Sep 22, 2022 2:09 pm

2022. Jackie laid her eggs on January 22nd and 25th. After a couple of rough seasons,
one egg hatched on March 3rd!
9999a99a99.jpg
my scaps
9999a99a98.jpg
The remaining egg failed to hatch for unknown reasons and has become part of the nest.
A fundraiser to name the chick was opened to the public, 35 names were randomly drawn, and the local 3rd grade classrooms voted on their favorite name.
9999a99a97.jpg
on March 25 with Shadow
Image
E9 is 7 yo now

User avatar
Maddy
Topic Assistant
Posts: 51309
Joined: Feb 28, 2018

Re: Big Bear CA Eagle Cam - 2022 - 2023

Post by Maddy » Thu Sep 22, 2022 2:09 pm

Our 2022 chick was named Spirit!
9999a99a95.jpg
on March 30 with Shadow again
Spirit was not banded so the gender was a mystery.
999a99a99a526.png
Over time and with a few indicators, such as ankle thickness, overall size, and vocal pitch, FOBBV believes Spirit is a female.
9999a99a94.jpg
on May 14
9999a99a99a57.jpg
Image
E9 is 7 yo now

User avatar
Maddy
Topic Assistant
Posts: 51309
Joined: Feb 28, 2018

Re: Big Bear CA Eagle Cam - 2022 - 2023

Post by Maddy » Thu Sep 22, 2022 2:10 pm

999a99a99a525.png
9999a99a91.jpg
9999a99a90.jpg
Spirit stole the hearts of viewers around the world, and she fledged successfully on 5/31.
She was 88 days old.
9999a99a89.jpg
my scaps
Image
E9 is 7 yo now

User avatar
Maddy
Topic Assistant
Posts: 51309
Joined: Feb 28, 2018

Re: Big Bear CA Eagle Cam - 2022 - 2023

Post by Maddy » Thu Sep 22, 2022 4:27 pm

9999a99a88.jpg
9999a99a87.jpg
Spirit was last seen on the nest on 6/23
9999a99a80.jpg
in the habitat - 6/24
9999a99a78.jpg
Image
E9 is 7 yo now

User avatar
Maddy
Topic Assistant
Posts: 51309
Joined: Feb 28, 2018

Re: Big Bear CA Eagle Cam - 2022 - 2023

Post by Maddy » Thu Sep 22, 2022 4:28 pm

The nest is about 145 feet up in a Jeffrey Pine tree ~7000ft above sea level.
This is one of the highest elevations Bald Eagles nest in the US.
This nest has been in active use since the fall of 2013. The fall of 2015 Friends of Big Bear Valley installed the eagle nest cam.
The Nest comparison 2016 - 2022
Nest comparison 2016 - 2022.jpeg
In September 2021 a 2nd cam was added with a view of the nest and opportunity to see the eagles fly into the nest from the lake!
9999a99a96.jpg
9999a92a49a22.jpg
9999a99a65G.jpg
The surrounding area is closed to the public during nesting season to protect the eagles — bald eagles have been known to abandon nests when disturbed by humans.
Image
E9 is 7 yo now

User avatar
Maddy
Topic Assistant
Posts: 51309
Joined: Feb 28, 2018

Re: Big Bear CA Eagle Cam - 2022 - 2023

Post by Maddy » Thu Sep 22, 2022 4:28 pm

The current nest size is about 5.5 ft. across & about 6 ft. deep.
Hundreds of sticks are added annually which could raise the height of the nest up to twelve inches per year. The eagles will add sticks & fluff year round as long as they continue to use this nest.
9999a99a77.jpg
9999a99a77a99.jpeg
The nest is located on National Forest land, there is no internet or power directly accessible. Our camera system is 100% solar powered and autonomous, designed to sustain harsh mountaintop weather conditions.
Power unit: solar panels and battery
9999a99a77a9.jpeg
In the next few months, between Oct-Dec, we will witness Jackie & Shadow bringing in an assortment of new sticks as they continue to build their nest. By the way, their record of incoming sticks is 24 in one day!
Image
E9 is 7 yo now

User avatar
Maddy
Topic Assistant
Posts: 51309
Joined: Feb 28, 2018

Re: Big Bear CA Eagle Cam - 2022 - 2023

Post by Maddy » Thu Sep 22, 2022 4:29 pm

Big Bear Lake Volume: 73,320 acre feet
Surface Area: 2,971 acres
Lake Shoreline: 22 miles
Average Annual Evaporation: 4 feet or 10,600 acre feet
Average Daily Evaporation: 15 million gallons

hpenfold
Google Earth time lapse of Big Bear lake level over time (1986 to 2020)
:vid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpCmujnRsbA
'
9999a99a76.jpg
9999a99a77a.jpeg
9999a99a77a1.jpeg
Image
E9 is 7 yo now

User avatar
Maddy
Topic Assistant
Posts: 51309
Joined: Feb 28, 2018

Re: Big Bear CA Eagle Cam - 2022 - 2023

Post by Maddy » Thu Sep 22, 2022 4:33 pm

9999a99a75.jpg
Jackie and Shadow are getting ready for another nesting season.

Jackie & Shadow have several favorite perch snags (dead or partially dead trees) visible from Cam2: CS = Cactus Snag, SDS = Stick Depot Snag, LS = Lookout Snag
9999a95a88.jpeg
Image
E9 is 7 yo now

User avatar
Maddy
Topic Assistant
Posts: 51309
Joined: Feb 28, 2018

Re: Big Bear CA Eagle Cam - 2022 - 2023

Post by Maddy » Sun Sep 25, 2022 12:20 am

SEASON SUMMARY

Eggs laid:

🥚Egg #1 is laid on 1/11 15:58
🥚Egg #2 is laid on 1/14 before 17:11
3/7 Eggs are scavenged by Ravens.

From 2/11 Jackie and Shadow’s behavior this year is unusual compared to past years. Their eggs in past years have hatched around 38 to 39 days. The 38th day for egg#1 is Feb 18.
Given Jackie and Shadow's recent behavior, we will all watch and wait to see what Nature and Jackie and Shadow bring us.
2/17 Ground reports: two immature eagles spotted near the lake.
Image
E9 is 7 yo now

Locked

Return to “Archive - All Other North American Eagle Cams”