SANDY AT THE EDGE! 😱 First Pre-Branching Behavior — Fledge Is HERE! | Big Bear Bald Eagles 2026 [rJhB3a76eeQ]
Original live video courtesy of FOBBV The opinions presented on this channel may not reflect the opinions of FOBBV. 🦅 SANDY IS AT THE EDGE!! 😱🪽 Our brave Queen-in-training wandered to the corner of the nest today — this is PRE-BRANCHING behavior and a major sign fledge is just days/weeks away. Mama Jackie was watching the entire time. My heart is in my throat! 💔 📍 In this clip from May 21, 2026, Sandy (hatched April 4) was caught exploring the very edge of the nest — wandering close to the corner with the entire 145-foot drop just beyond. This kind of nest-edge exploration is a critical pre-fledge milestone. Eaglets start exploring boundaries BEFORE they begin branching (hopping to nearby branches), which leads directly to FLEDGE (first flight). Mama Jackie was perched calmly nearby — trusting her brave girl while also keeping watch. Pure parenting magic. 🦅 🪽 PRE-FLEDGE BEHAVIOR PROGRESSION ✅ Wing-stretching (DONE!) ✅ Active wingers (DONE!) ✅ Self-feeding mastery (DONE!) ✅ Edge exploration (HAPPENING NOW!) 🔜 Branching (hopping to nearby branches) 🔜 FLEDGE (first flight!) 🔍 WHY THIS MOMENT IS SPECIAL ✅ Critical pre-branching milestone ✅ Sandy showing brave exploratory behavior ✅ Jackie's trusting but watchful parenting ✅ Fledge officially DAYS to weeks away 🦅 ABOUT JACKIE & SHADOW Jackie and Shadow are the world-famous bald eagle pair of Big Bear Valley, California. Their nest sits 145 feet high in a Jeffrey Pine, monitored 24/7 by Friends of Big Bear Valley (FOBBV). Jackie is believed to be the first bald eagle ever hatched and fledged in Big Bear. Shadow won her over in 2018. Together they have raised four eaglets to fledge: Simba, Spirit, Sunny, and Gizmo — and now Sandy and Luna are following in their footsteps. 🐣 2026 EAGLETS: Sandy & Luna (hatched April 4 & 5, 2026) 🐣 2025 EAGLETS: Sunny & Gizmo (fledged June 2025) 💔 LOST: First clutch breached by ravens on January 30, 2026 📍 LOCATION: Big Bear Lake, California ❤️ SUPPORT FOBBV Support at: friendsofbigbearvalley.org 💬 Drop a 🪽 if your heart skipped seeing Sandy at the edge! And tell us — when do YOU predict Sandy will start BRANCHING?? 📅 Pick your timeline! 👇 🔔 SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss FLEDGE DAY for Sandy & Luna! 🐿️ Fiona the squirrel and Dash the mouse are nest regulars too! 🌿 📺 #JackieAndShadow #SandyAndLuna #BigBearEagles #FOBBV #BaldEagle #EagleCam #BigBearLake #FledgeWatch #PreFledge #Branching 📌 FOBBV is an environmental educational nonprofit providing 24/7/365 ad-free bald eagle livestreams. Support: 🎥 Camera: FOBBV Nest Cam 1 📅 Date: May 21, 2026 © 2026 Educational Use