Big Bear Valley’s bald eagles Shadow and Kaydee take on a nestoration project

Nest work and territory watch

Kaydee shifted sticks around the nest while Shadow checked its structure. Friends of Big Bear Valley, which operates the nest camera, described the work as strenuous. The organization said Shadow briefly panted, a way eagles regulate body temperature because they lack sweat glands. The birds later kept watch for intruders, having chased away an eagle earlier in the week.

A partnership still developing

After Kaydee turned from her watch, Shadow gave her several small nibbles, then moved to the nest’s front porch. He watched from the back porch as the pair stayed in the morning sun for more than an hour.

Later, Kaydee flew from a nearby branch known as the lookout snag, called out, and departed. Three other eagles were seen crossing the territory soon afterward. Friends of Big Bear Valley said the pair’s cooperation was encouraging, but whether they will mate this season remains unknown.

Kaydee’s background

Kaydee was previously known as KD1 and was born in 2022 in the Prado Basin, about 70 miles from Big Bear Lake. She was banded through an Orange County Water District program that helps track eagles born in the area. She has a small metal leg band and a lavender band marked “KD1.” A black spot on her head may be dirt, tree sap, or feathers that have yet to turn white, according to the account.

Jackie and Shadow’s history

Jackie and Shadow became a pair in 2018, and nest cameras recorded their life together. They raised chicks in 2019 and 2022, while eggs failed to hatch in 2023 and 2024. In 2025, three eggs hatched, but only Sunny and Gizmo survived a snowstorm that brought up to two feet of snow and strong winds.

Jackie was found injured near Dana Point Park on July 17 after an encounter with two subadult eagles. She received care at the Ojai Raptor Center, where she was diagnosed with severe anemia, and died on August 10. A necropsy did not identify one cause of death, citing several factors, including anemia, bird flu, blood clots, and liver and lung abnormalities.