Big Bear Eagle Cam Live | 2 Eggs Laid 2026

Each winter, thousands of viewers tune in to the Big Bear Eagle Cam live to watch Jackie and Shadow — the bald eagle pair nesting high above Big Bear Lake in the San Bernardino Mountains.

From egg laying and incubation to hatch day and first flights, the camera offers a rare, real-time look inside one of Southern California’s most closely watched wildlife nests.

👉 Scroll down to watch both live camera views.

Current Nest Status (2026 Season)

Last Updated: March 2, 2026

Jackie has now laid two eggs as part of her second clutch of the 2026 nesting season.

• First egg (second clutch): February 24
• Second egg: February 27
• Current Clutch: 2 eggs
• Incubation: Active
• Estimated Hatch Window: Late March to early April 2026

Both Jackie and Shadow are taking turns incubating.

Who Operates the Big Bear Eagle Cam?

The Big Bear Eagle Cam was installed in 2015 by Friends of Big Bear Valley (FBBV), a local nonprofit organization dedicated to wildlife conservation and public education in the San Bernardino Mountains.

The camera was mounted approximately 120 feet high in a Jeffrey pine overlooking Big Bear Lake. Installation required permits from the U.S. Forest Service and was completed by professional climbers to ensure the eagles were not disturbed.

At the time of installation, the nest was occupied by a pair named Ricky and Lucy. Not long after, a new female — later named Jackie — claimed the nest.

She was joined first by Mr. B and later by Shadow, who became her mate during the 2017–2018 season. The Eagle Cam documented that transition live, helping turn Jackie and Shadow into a worldwide wildlife phenomenon.

Watch Big Bear Eagle Cam 1 (Nest View)

Camera 1 — often called the Nest Cam — provides a close-up view inside the nest bowl where:

• Eggs are laid
• Chicks hatch
• Feedings occur
• Incubation shifts happen
• Nest-building continues

This is the primary camera viewers watch during nesting season.



Watch Big Bear Eagle Cam 2 (Roost & Lookout View)

Camera 2 offers a wider landscape perspective and captures activity in the surrounding trees.

This view includes:

• The Roost Tree (where Jackie and Shadow rest and preen)
• The Lookout Snag Tree (a high vantage point for scanning the lake)
• Visiting bald eagles
• Ravens and hawks
• Forest wildlife activity

Camera 2 occasionally pans to follow movement and show the broader Big Bear Lake environment.

Is the Big Bear Eagle Cam Really Live?

Yes. The Big Bear Eagle Cam streams live 24 hours a day on YouTube.

The cameras are solar-powered and managed remotely by FBBV volunteers.

Aside from occasional panning or zooming to capture important moments, the cameras remain stationary to avoid disturbing the birds.

There is no scripting, staging, or interference — what viewers see is natural wildlife behavior unfolding in real time.

Wildlife Seen on the Big Bear Eagle Cam

While Jackie and Shadow are the main attraction, the cameras also reveal the larger ecosystem around the nest.

Viewers often spot:

• Ravens
• Visiting bald eagles
• Red-tailed hawks
• Woodpeckers
• Squirrels and chipmunks

During nighttime infrared viewing, two southern flying squirrels — nicknamed Fiona and Fast Freddie by viewers — occasionally glide into frame, reminding everyone that the forest stays active even after dark.

When Are Jackie & Shadow at the Nest?

Bald eagle nesting season in Big Bear typically follows this general timeline:

October–December: Nest rebuilding and bonding
January–March: Egg laying and incubation
March–June: Chick rearing and fledging
July–September: Off-season activity around Big Bear Lake

If the nest appears empty during winter, the eagles may be fishing nearby or perched in the roost tree.

Where Is the Big Bear Eagle Nest Located?

The nest sits high in a Jeffrey pine on the north side of Big Bear Lake within the San Bernardino National Forest.



For the safety of the eagles, the exact location is not publicly disclosed, and the immediate area is closed during nesting season. However, visitors around Big Bear Lake often see bald eagles soaring overhead, especially near the dam and Baldwin Lake.

Why the Big Bear Eagle Cam Matters

The Big Bear Eagle Cam provides an unfiltered look at wildlife in Southern California’s mountains.

Over the years, viewers have witnessed:



• Nest building in snowstorms
• Egg laying and incubation shifts
• Successful hatches
• Chick growth and first flights
• Natural challenges faced by wild raptors

For many, the Eagle Cam has become an annual tradition — a way to connect with nature from anywhere in the world.

Thanks to Friends of Big Bear Valley, millions of viewers can now experience Big Bear’s most famous residents in real time, every day of the year.