Big Bear Hubed Eagles Jackie and Shadow welcomed the first hatch.
Thousands of enthusiastic viewers who had seen the Eagles’ nest on camera since the first pip was displayed over the weekend were able to see one of their hats appearing with a small feather and beak appearing Monday before 11:30pm.
Friends of Big Bear Valley announced that hatching could be imminent Sunday after the first Pip appeared. The group runs a 24-hour webcam to monitor the Eagles’ nests 145 feet above Jeffrey Pine overlooking Big Bear Lake.
Pipping is when a baby bird uses its beak to open a shell, and Pipwatch is the online all-night and hoopra surrounding its activity.
“Tears of joy!!” After the first crack appeared on Sunday, one person responded on Facebook.
Jackie and Shadow in 2023. And I also had a broken heart last winter. The pair added a rare third egg to their clutch in late January, but the cold weather was severe. At one point, the storm kept Jackie straight in the nest for 62 hours, sometimes completely covered in snow.
This is one reason why Big Bear Valley Group’s Friends suspect that Jackie’s three eggs could not hatch that year. Cold, snowy winter and rainy springs also dim the chances of Young Ejarrett’s survival.
Bald Eagle Eggs usually have 50-50 chances to hatch, according to Sandy Steers, a biologist and executive director of Friends at Big Bear Valley. According to the American Eagle Foundation, if it turned into a hatch, under 50% of the Eagles survived their first year.
