Eaglet Recovers
Big Bear Eaglet Luna Expected to Recover After Tumble From Nest
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Sandy, one of the two eaglets of Big Bear Valley's famous bald eagle pair Jackie and Shadow, took a terrifying accidental fall from their 145-foot nest on June 28, 2026 — but she may have accidentally completed her first flight. USA Today reported that Sandy lost her footing after her sibling Luna tried to jump over her on the nest's front porch branch, sending her tumbling downward.
According to Friends of Big Bear Valley, Sandy hung upside down from a lower branch for nearly seven minutes before freeing herself and spreading her wings. FOBBV Media Manager Jenny Voisard confirmed: "She lost her footing and fell to a lower branch... Then another... before flying to another tree. We haven't picked her up yet, but she's probably just resting."
How a Sibling Shove Sent Sandy Tumbling
At approximately 11:24 a.m. on June 28, both eaglets were perched on the "front porch" — a branch extending from the main nest. Luna tried to jump over Sandy to get back to the nest bowl. The move knocked Sandy off balance. She fell, catching herself on a lower branch where she dangled upside down for about seven minutes, according to Des Moines Register.
Sandy eventually freed herself and dropped. Rather than plummeting to the forest floor, she spread her wings and glided to a nearby tree. Courier Journal reported that a wide-angle security camera captured the moment Sandy flew across the canyon. At 85 days old, she fell right in the middle of the normal 70–98 day fledge window for bald eagles.
What a 'Fludge' Means in Birding Terms
Birders call this kind of accidental first flight a "fludge" — a mix of "fall" and "fledge." It looks scary, but experts say it often forces an eaglet to use its natural instincts. Sandy's ability to hang for seven minutes and then glide to safety shows strong muscles and developed wings, according to Tallahassee Democrat.
This is not the first time a Jackie and Shadow eaglet has fludged. Stormy fledged at 74 days in 2018 after losing balance on the same front porch branch. Simba fledged at 100 days in 2019. Spirit went at 88 days in 2022. Sandy's "scary tumble" fits a long pattern for this nest, according to Cincinnati Enquirer.
Search Underway as Fireworks Threat Looms
FOBBV camera operators and ground volunteers are now searching for Sandy's exact location. The concern is real — if she is on the forest floor, coyotes and bears could reach her. Lohud reported that Jackie and Shadow have already been spotted flying into the lower canopy to find their eaglet. In past years, parents bring fish to fledglings until they can fly back to the nest.
The timing adds another worry. July 4th fireworks in the Big Bear area are just days away. Advocates are calling for the fireworks to be canceled, arguing the noise could spook a newly fledged or grounded eaglet into a dangerous flight. Attention also now turns to Luna, who is still in the nest and may be motivated to fledge sooner after watching Sandy go first, according to IndyStar.
A Season Built on Resilience After a Devastating Start
The 2026 season was nearly over before it began. On January 30, ravens broke into the nest and destroyed Jackie and Shadow's first clutch of two eggs. The pair bounced back with a rare second clutch in late February. Sandy hatched on April 4 at 9:33 p.m. Luna followed on Easter Sunday, April 5, at 8:30 a.m., according to News-Journal Online.
Shadow set a record this season by catching eight fish in a single day to feed the growing eaglets. The 2026 season has drawn thousands of live viewers from around the world. AZ Central noted that one viewer, Christie Schultz, said watching Sandy hang upside down nearly gave her a "heart attack." For now, the focus is simple: find Sandy and keep her safe.
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