Jackie and Shadow’s 2026 eaglets named Sandy and Luna after public vote, students’ picks honor longtime leader
Big Bear Lake’s 2026 bald eagle eaglets, Jackie and Shadow’s chicks, were officially named Sandy and Luna after a public submission and a third-grade student vote, honoring longtime Friends of Big Bear Valley leader Sandy Steers.
- Hatches and growth: Chicks hatched April 4 and April 5, 2026, and grew from about 2 ounces to nearly 3 pounds each.
- Names selected: Sandy (Chick 1) and Luna (Chick 2) chosen from ~63,915 submissions after a 30-finalist round and local third-grade voting.
- Tribute: Sandy honors late FOBBV executive director Sandy Steers, who launched the nest cam in 2015 and died in February 2026.
- Watch live: View the nest 24/7 on the FOBBV YouTube channel.
Details and hatch information
Hatch dates: Sandy hatched April 4, 2026; Luna hatched April 5, 2026. Observers report rapid early growth—each chick increased from roughly 2 ounces at hatch to nearly 3 pounds within weeks.
Official names: Friends of Big Bear Valley (FOBBV) announced the chicks as Sandy (Chick 1) and Luna (Chick 2). The sexes of the eaglets are not yet known.
Voting and submissions: FOBBV said it received about 63,915 public submissions (figures vary by outlet), which were narrowed to 30 randomly selected finalists. Local third-grade classes cast the deciding votes: Sandy received 30 ballots, Luna 25. FOBBV also noted that Sandy was the single most common public entry with 3,706 submissions.
“Sandy would not have wanted us to outright name one of the eaglets Sandy,” FOBBV said, adding that she would have been honored by the community’s participation.
How the names were chosen
Friends of Big Bear Valley ran a public fundraiser doubling as a name drive, collecting tens of thousands of suggestions nationwide. From roughly 63,915 submissions the group randomly selected 30 finalists and handed them to third-grade classes, which study the Big Bear pair each year as part of a classroom project blending science and civic participation.
The student vote followed tradition: Sandy won with 30 ballots, Luna earned 25, and runners-up included Star, Chip and Phoenix. Media outlets covering the naming include LAist, Popular Science, ABC13 and Victor Valley News.
A tribute to Sandy Steers
Sandy Steers was a longtime leader with Friends of Big Bear Valley who launched the live nest cam in 2015 and guided the nonprofit’s bird-monitoring efforts for years. She died in February 2026 after a battle with cancer.
FOBBV emphasized that the naming was intended as a community-driven tribute: Sandy reflects Steers’ legacy of building programs that connect volunteers, schools and the public to local conservation work. A video of the naming and tribute appears on the FOBBV channel and announcement clip.
Watch the naming video: FOBBV announcement clip.
Close look at the chicks: how to tell Sandy and Luna apart
- Sandy (Chick 1, hatched April 4): Larger overall with a bigger head and neck; slight curve to the gape. Observers describe Sandy as the more submissive sibling in early interactions.
- Luna (Chick 2, hatched April 5): Slightly smaller and more assertive; early “bonking” sibling rivalry appears to be easing as they bond.
FOBBV cautions that these differences are subtle and may change as the eaglets grow. Both are being monitored closely as they approach fledging.
Why the tradition matters
The naming tradition blends community fundraising, classroom learning and public engagement. For more than a decade the nest cam and programs have offered teachers a hands-on science lesson and given the public a direct connection to local natural resources.
Funding model: Public name submissions functioned as a fundraiser that supports nest maintenance, camera operations and outreach, keeping oversight and daily care local rather than reliant solely on grants or government programs. Last year’s naming—reported in LAist and other outlets—drew roughly 54,000 submissions and produced the names Sunny and Gizmo.
Live viewing and public access
The Big Bear Bald Eagle Cam streams 24/7 on YouTube for educators, researchers and the public. The uninterrupted feed documents the birds’ health and development and supports classroom projects and community engagement.
Watch the live nest: FOBBV YouTube channel. The naming announcement is posted at: announcement clip.
Implications for Redding, California
Economic and tourism impact
Stories about the Big Bear eaglets and steady interest in the nest cam help keep regional wildlife and outdoor recreation top of mind for visitors. Redding hospitality and retail businesses may benefit indirectly when national interest inspires longer, multi-stop trips.
Education and community values
The student voting tradition demonstrates a civic-minded, community-first approach that ties place-based learning to real-world stewardship. Redding schools can model similar programs to teach science and civic participation without heavy central mandates.
Nonprofit stewardship and volunteerism
The FOBBV model—local nonprofit leadership, public fundraising, volunteer engagement and a high-profile conservation project—aligns with community-led solutions and offers a practical playbook for Redding groups managing parks and natural assets.
Cultural pride and local storytelling
Honoring Sandy Steers ties the project to a human story of leadership and service. Regional media and civic leaders can use that narrative to build pride and link conservation work to local identity.
Practical applications for residents
- Borrow program elements: student voting, fundraising-linked name drives, and live-stream habitat coverage.
- Outdoor educators can integrate the Big Bear cam into lesson plans for low-cost raptor biology and stewardship modules.
Sources and where to watch
- Friends of Big Bear Valley YouTube channel and the announcement clip.
- LAist coverage of the naming and process.
- Popular Science reporting on the nest cam and naming.
- ABC13 local reporting.
- Victor Valley News.
Follow the live stream to watch Jackie and Shadow’s new family as Sandy and Luna grow and develop: FOBBV YouTube channel.
