For weeks now, we’ve been following the new chapters in the lives of the internet’s most famous bald eagles as egg-laying season began. Just last week, momma Jackie had laid her first two eggs of the year in the nest. But this week, the scene is completely different.
On Saturday, Friends of Big Bear Valley sadly announced that Jackie and Shadow’s eggs were breached by ravens. Fans who have followed this iconic eagle couple know how faithfully they incubate their eggs, making this loss especially poignant.
Just before noon, Shadow left the nest, and Jackie did not arrive. Shadow did not return for several hours, leaving a quiet but tense vigil at the nest. When observed later, one egg appeared broken, a fact confirmed with a camera zoom.
While the exact reasons for their absence remain unknown, it’s clear Jackie and Shadow were acting with purpose, perhaps sensing something was wrong with the egg or protecting their territory from the increasing number of bald eagles recently seen in the valley.
By the afternoon, ravens arrived at the nest and breached both eggs. Jackie returned shortly after and continued to sit over one of the damaged eggs, a testament to her resilience and devotion.
There remains a possibility that Jackie might lay a second clutch this season, since these losses occurred early, but it is far from guaranteed. A female bald eagle typically needs about a month to recover before she is ready to lay eggs again. Still, let’s remain hopeful for more eggs while we continue to follow their journey via livestream.