Latest news with #FriendsOfBigBearValley
CBS News
07-07-2025
- General
- CBS News
Big Bear's eagles Jackie and Shadow return to their nest after Fourth of July fireworks
Big Bear eagles Jackie and Shadow made it back to their nest after the Fourth of July fireworks display sent them away. The Friends of Big Bear Valley posted on their blog that the parents returned to one of their favorite trees on Sunday after flying away during the Fourth of July fireworks. Big Bear Lake had its annual Fourth of July fireworks display which the Friends of Big Bear Valley said often scare wildlife and cause them to leave their homes. They said the day after the display was "quite eerie." The blog said one of the eagles flew by around 5:30p p.m. and then just after 7 p.m. Shadow flew over and landed in the Twin Pine tree and a few minutes later Jackie arrived "with a lovely vocal greeting." Friends of Big Bear Valley have been more concerned for Jackie and Shadow eaglets, Sunny and Gizmo, who fledged at the beginning of June. Since the eaglets have not been exposed to loud noises for a long period of time they might flee the Big Bear area. "It's a wait-and-see as it is still uncertain if they remain in the Big Bear area, but along with these youngsters, there was also concern for all wildlife as well," Friends of Big Bear Valley wrote. The live web cameras have captured images of other animals in the area, but Friends of Big Bear Valley said Jackie and Shadow are the only known nesting pair of bald eagles, "who have been together there year-round since mid-2018."
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Taking to the sky: Big Bear Valley eaglets Gizmo and Sunny take first flights
BIG BEAR VALLEY, California (ABC4) — Both eaglets from Big Bear Valley in California have officially taken to the skies! In a Facebook post from Friends of Big Bear Valley (FOBBV), eaglets Sunny and Gizmo officially took their first flights, with Sunny officially leaving the nest on Monday, followed by her sister Gizmo early this morning. Gizmo did have a little bit of trouble on her first flight, according to FOBBV. After attempting to take off, Gizmo quickly grabbed a branch for balance then successfully flew off a moments later, as he was seen on camera located in a different tree Friends of Big Bear Valley says in their post that at the eaglets' flight feathers are still coming in and are a bit heavier than an adult eagle's feathers. The post says that both Sunny and Gizmo have a little way to go before they're a little more graceful like their parents Jackie and Shadow. Latest Headlines: Salt Lake City International Airport announces open house event Taking to the sky: Big Bear Valley eaglets Gizmo and Sunny take first flights West Haven park closed after fire burns five acres Man arrested after holding three people hostage inside Price home Motorhome fire causes major delays on I-15 in Kaysville Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
‘Gizmo did it!' Big Bear bald eaglet Gizmo takes first flight, joining sister Sunny in sky
The younger of the two Big Bear eaglet sisters took to the sky for her first flight on Saturday, June 7 when the Friends of Big Bear Valley cameras caught Gizmo flapping her wings and taking off at 8:27 a.m., Popular Science reported. Sunny officially fledged and left the nest at 10:46 a.m. June 2. Despite having outgrown her older sister, Gizmo, who is days younger than Sunny, it took five days longer for Gizmo to follow her sister in flight. 'Gizmo did it!' the Friends of Big Bear Valley and Big Bear Eagle Nest Cam posted on their Facebook page. Bald eagles generally make their first flights, or "fledge," from the nest at 10 to 14 weeks of age. Sunny and Gizmo are both 12 weeks old. Here's what to know about Sunny, Gizmo, and their parents, Jackie and Shadow. Sunny and Gizmo hatched early March. Jackie and Shadow had three chicks that hatched, but one died in late March. Jackie and Shadow have been a mating pair since 2018, when Shadow replaced Jackie's previous mate, according to the Friends of Big Bear Valley. Jackie is believed to be the first recorded bald eagle chick hatched in Big Bear in 2012. She was initially known as Jack until it became apparent she was female, and her name was switched to Jackie. Shadow hatched in Big Bear in 2015. The eagles' nest is in Big Bear Valley in the San Bernardino Mountains, about 145 feet up in a Jeffrey Pine tree, according to the Friends of Big Bear Valley. Related: With all the Sunny and Gizmo mania, how many bald eagles are in California, the nation? The Friends of Big Bear Valley operate two live feeds that capture different angles of the nest that Jackie and Shadow call home. The livestreams can be watched on YouTube at FOBBV Cam. You can also stay updated with Friends of Big Bear Valley's Facebook page, which makes frequent updates on the beloved eagle family. This story was updated to add new information. This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Big Bear bald eaglet Gizmo takes first flight from nest-joining-Sunny
CBS News
07-06-2025
- General
- CBS News
Big Bear eagle Gizmo takes first flight from nest in California, joining sister Sunny after weeks of anticipation
Big Bear eagles Jackie and Shadow are officially empty nesters after their second eaglet took flight from the comfort of the nest on Saturday. Around 8:27 a.m., the second eaglet, Gizmo, could be seen on the Big Bear Eagle Nest Cam standing on a branch before beginning to flap her wings and soar off into the air. Her first attempt seemed unsuccessful, as she quickly latched back onto a branch, but she tried again successfully a few seconds later. The flight didn't seem to last long. Gizmo quickly disappeared from the main feed provided by Friends of Big Bear Valley, but the Wide Angle Camera showed what appeared to be Gizmo located on another tree moments later. Gizmo, the daughter of Jackie and Shadow and sister of Sunny, took a brief first flight on Saturday morning. Friends of Big Bear Valley She appeared to be very active, moving around the nest quite a bit before finally flying off. A few days ago on Monday, her sister Sunny took her first flight after jumping off a branch. The eaglets who were born in March and are nearly 13 weeks old have been practicing for several days. They could be seen flapping their wings and jumping from one branch to another, getting ready for their big moment. Gizmo took flight at 89 days old, after some "intense wingersizing sessions yesterday on the High Perch," Friends of Big Bear Valley wrote on Facebook. FOBBV Executive Director Sandy Steers told KCAL News on Monday that although it is unclear where Sunny and Gizmo will go, young eagles tend to return to the nest relatively soon after their first flight. "By fall, they will take off on their own. Since they aren't banded, we will have no way to know if they stay together, or for how long," FOBBV posted on Facebook. "Fledge watch" began around May 13, as bald eagles are usually between 10 to 12 weeks old when they prepare to leave the nest. Gizmo and Sunny will remain in the habitat for one to three months after fledging, and FOBBV said they will likely be in and out of the nest during this time. Sunny has continued to visit the nest since her first flight, eating and sleeping at home.
CBS News
02-06-2025
- General
- CBS News
Big Bear eaglet takes flight from nest
Big Bear's famed bald eagle parents, Jackie and Shadow, are getting closer to being empty-nesters as one of their two eaglets took flight from the comforts of the nest on Monday. At about 10:46 a.m., one of the eaglet was perched on a branch when she appeared to jump off, flap her wings and fly away. The eaglets were born in March and are around 12 weeks old, making it prime-fledging time. Viewers of the Big Bear Eagle Nest Cam have been anticipating the moment when eaglets Sunny and Gizmo would brave flight. "Fledge watch" began around May 13, as bald eagles are between 10 to 12 weeks old when they leave their nest. One of the Big Bear eaglets appeared to take flight around 10:46 a.m. on Monday. Friends of Big Bear Valley Friends of Big Bear Valley noted on Facebook posts that the pair had been flapping and jumping, practicing for their flight as they stood on the outer rails of their nest. "The birds show signs of flight as they start flapping their wings hard and fast enough to feel their feet lift slightly off the nest. They will then likely start venturing out onto the outer branches of the nest tree and also practice there," FOBBV wrote on Facebook. Once confident, they will take off, likely near a perch tree where Jackie and Shadow have been hanging out. What's next for the eaglets? Gizmo and Sunny were both determined to be female, based on quick growth, and Sunny's sex is still unknown. Both will remain in the habitat for one to three months after fledging, and FOBBV said they will likely be in and out of the nest during this time. "By fall, they will take off on their own. Since they aren't banded, we will have no way to know if they stay together, or for how long," FOBBV wrote on Facebook. It is also not known if they will recognize each other. The organization noted that there is some evidence that bald eagles can memorize, but there have not been any specific studies to verify that information. Most eagles reach maturity around 5 years old, with a white head and tail and bright yellow beaks and eyes.
