Eagle pair famed in Big Bear re-emerges post-July 4th fireworks break
Big Bear Lake's beloved bald eagle family, Jackie and Shadow, along with their eaglets Sunny and Gizmo, have returned to their home after a brief absence following the area's Fourth of July fireworks display. The event, held annually for over 60 years, has raised concerns about the impact on the eagles due to their sensitivity to loud noises and bright lights.
On Friday night, the celebratory fireworks appear to have frightened Jackie and Shadow away, as they were not seen at their usual roost site immediately after the event. This behaviour has been a cause for concern among wildlife advocates, who argue that bald eagles do not typically fly after dark unless threatened or disturbed.
The Big Bear community and authorities, including Visit Big Bear, chose to proceed with the fireworks show, citing its long-standing tradition and significant economic benefits to the area. The fireworks were professionally managed, launched over the lake and away from nesting sites, and limited to under 30 minutes in duration to reduce potential impacts.
Despite these measures, the immediate absence of the eagles indicates that the fireworks have a noticeable impact on their behaviour, at least temporarily causing them to leave their nests and roosts. Whether this leads to longer-term behavioural changes or harm remains a concern among wildlife advocates, who continue to push for alternatives that would better protect the bald eagle population in Big Bear.
Friends of Big Bear Valley, an organisation that runs a camera 145 feet up a Jeffrey pine tree overlooking Big Bear Lake, had been issuing warnings about the Fourth of July fireworks, arguing that they could be especially hard on Sunny and Gizmo, the younger eaglets. The organisation's executive director, Sandy Steers, reported that Jackie and Shadow were not in their usual tree on Saturday and no vocalizations were heard.
However, by late Saturday night, cameras had spotted Jackie and Shadow once again. The pair was observed engaging in their daily activities, such as chortling their morning song and checking their habitat. The return of Jackie and Shadow serves as a reminder of the strength and bond they share, having hatched and reared a combined five eaglets, including Sunny and Gizmo earlier this year.
A video of Jackie and Shadow was posted to YouTube by a watcher who goes by Cali Condor, bringing comfort and joy to nature enthusiasts. In the video, Jackie and Shadow can be seen together at various locations, including their Roost Tree and Twin Pines. On Saturday evening, nature enthusiasts were celebrating the return of Jackie and Shadow.
The lake-view aerie of Jackie and Shadow is monitored by a 24-hour online webcam since 2018, providing a unique opportunity for the public to observe the eagles' daily life. The incident has sparked renewed discussions about the balance between tradition and wildlife conservation, with supporters of the eagle family creating a petition urging local authorities to delay or ban the annual fireworks show to protect the eagles.
As the bald eagle population in Big Bear continues to thrive, efforts to protect these majestic birds will undoubtedly remain a priority for the community and wildlife advocates alike.
- Despite the precautions taken during the fireworks show, the absence of Jackie and Shadow after the event, as observed on the California home-and-garden webcam, has sparked concerns among wildlife advocates about the potential impact on their lifestyle and habitat.
- On Saturday evening, California residents were filled with relief and joy as footage posted on YouTube by Cali Condor showed Jackie and Shadow resuming their routine activities in their home-and-garden, reinforcing the strong bond they share as they continue to thrive in Big Bear.
