Big Bear eaglets Jackie and Shadow hatched now named Sandy and Luna in student vote honoring late director
Big Bear Lake’s bald eagles Jackie and Shadow hatched eaglets April 4 and 5; community-selected third-grade students named them Sandy and Luna in a fundraiser vote honoring the late Friends of Big Bear Valley director Sandy Steers.
Key takeaways
- Parents: Jackie and Shadow are the nesting pair at Big Bear Lake.
- Hatch dates & names: Chick 1 hatched April 4 (named Sandy); Chick 2 hatched April 5 (named Luna).
- Naming process: Nearly 64,000 public submissions produced 30 finalists; third-grade students voted, selecting Sandy (30 votes) and Luna (25 votes).
- Tribute: Sandy honors longtime FOBBV Executive Director Sandy Steers, who launched the nest cam in 2015 and died in February.
Key information
Parents: Jackie and Shadow, the nesting pair at Big Bear Lake.
Hatch dates: Chick 1 on April 4, 2026; Chick 2 on April 5, 2026.
Names: Chick 1 is Sandy; Chick 2 is Luna.
Naming method: Finalists emerged from nearly 63,915 public, gender‑neutral submissions; 30 names were randomly chosen for Big Bear Valley third-grade students to vote on. Sandy received 30 student votes and Luna 25. (Sources: ABC7, LAist, Popular Science, VVNG.)
How the names were chosen
Friends of Big Bear Valley ran a public fundraiser inviting name suggestions for the 2026 chicks and collected about 63,915 entries. From that pool, FOBBV randomly selected 30 options to appear on ballots given to third‑grade students who had studied bald eagles as part of the program.
Students voted; the two winners were Sandy and Luna. According to public reporting, Sandy topped the public submissions with 3,706 entries. Runners-up among submissions and ballots included Star, Chip and Phoenix. (Sources: ABC7, LAist.)
A tribute to Sandy Steers
Sandy Steers led Friends of Big Bear Valley for years and launched the nest cam in 2015, building a broad audience for eagle conservation and education. Steers died in February after battling cancer; FOBBV said she would have preferred a community-led naming rather than a direct naming by the organization.
FOBBV emphasized that a student and public vote would respectfully honor Steers’ legacy and the grassroots nature of the program.
What we know about the chicks so far
The chicks hatched at around 2 ounces and have shown rapid growth. FOBBV reports each eaglet now weighs nearly 3 pounds as they approach one month old.
Sandy (hatched April 4) appears larger with a bigger head and neck and a slight curve to its gape; FOBBV describes Sandy as more submissive. Luna (hatched April 5) is slightly smaller and has shown more aggressive behavior. Observers note the two are bonding and that typical “bonking” has eased. Sexes are not yet determined. (Source: ABC7.)
Runners-up and public interest
Other names on the student ballots included Star, Chip, Phoenix, Windy, Kazoo, River and Hazy. The nearly 64,000 submissions demonstrate the nest cam’s wide reach and the public’s investment in the birds. The program functions as both a fundraiser and an outreach platform for local and worldwide viewers. (Sources: Popular Science, VVNG.)
How to watch and follow updates
The nest cam streams 24/7 on YouTube. Watch the Big Bear Bald Eagle Live Nest Cam for live footage of Jackie and Shadow tending Sandy and Luna, and follow FOBBV for growth milestones and educational posts. (Source: LAist.)
Implications for Hesperia, California
Economic impact: Hesperia, within driving distance of Big Bear Lake, may see increased tourism that benefits gas stations, restaurants and lodging. The eagle cam’s popularity supports FOBBV fundraising for local conservation and education without sole reliance on government grants.
Educational value: The naming process engaged third‑grade students—an easy classroom model for local schools to teach voting, biology and civic participation.
Community and values: The grassroots, student-driven tribute to Sandy Steers highlights civic-minded local traditions and volunteerism valued by many residents.
Practical actions: Hesperia residents can watch the live stream at the Big Bear Bald Eagle Live Nest Cam, share the stream with classrooms, visit Big Bear Lake to support local businesses, or contact FOBBV to volunteer or donate.
Reporting sources
This article is based on announcements from Friends of Big Bear Valley and reporting by regional and national outlets. Key sources include:
For live viewing and regular updates from Friends of Big Bear Valley, watch the Big Bear Bald Eagle Live Nest Cam.
