Big Bear Bald Eagles 'Pip Watch' Underway Amid Mountain Winds

BIG BEAR, CA — The Inland Empire's bald eagle bonded pair, Jackie and Shadow, are tending their nest as 20,000 fans watch and await any signs of hatching. The process is known as "pip watch," and according to Friends of Big Bear Valley, the group that maintains and monitors the bald eagle's webcam, the air is full of "egg-citement and anticipation."

Right now, the anticipation for the pip watch is high. If you watch the pair throughout the day, you'll spy eagles fluffing the nest, moving twigs and, from time to time, rolling the pair of large eggs with their big yellow beaks. With the deep bowl of the nest and the eggs hidden underneath the parents, there have been no obvious signs of hatching yet.

"We’ve noted that there has been a bit more movement on the nest at times by Jackie and Shadow during incubation sessions. As experienced parents, they have been keeping an eagle eye on the nest bowl, watching and rolling the eggs with perfect precision," spokesperson Victoria shared over Facebook.

The pair has taken turns, adding fluff, rolling the eggs, and incubating them. Jackie often has night duty while Shadow tends to spell her during the day. It's been a tense season, after the pair lost their first clutch of eggs to an intrusive crow. Now, as thousands watch and wait, we asked FOBBV naturalist Jenny Voisard to share some wisdom and help manage expectations about the events unfolding in real time.

There is no sign of pip yet, according to Voisard, and as the eagles allow, the crews will attempt to zoom in and see if any signs of hatching are present.

"Without Sandy, it's bittersweet this year," Voisard said. "We do welcome the calm moments, and while we are excited, we know that nothing is promised. People want us to predict what will happen, but we have to watch with everyone and patiently see the process unfold."

In 2025, three eaglets hatched, and two survived to fledge and leave the nest. This year, no one can guess what will happen next.

"Nature is fascinating to watch, and each day holds its own story," naturalist Valerie wrote on Facebook. "We must remember that foremost we are fortunate observers of their nest world. They have something important to teach us as humans about the natural world every day."

The group continues to seek assistance with purchasing the land known as Moon Camp to ensure construction in the Big Bear Bald Eagles area is kept at bay. Thus far, the nonprofit has raised over $1.5 million, just over a tenth of the $10 million needed to purchase the land.

To donate, visit savemooncamp.org. Friends of Big Bear Valley has until July 31 to purchase the 63-acre property for the permanent conservatorship directly next to the U.S. Forest Service land.

In the meantime, Jackie and Shadow tend their nest with care, as after a season peppered with loss — both of FOBBV founder Sandy Steers and of the first clutch of eggs— that life will find a way.