Reporting by Rene Ray De La Cruz, Victorville Daily Press
Bald eagle fans are speculating, after an unidentified adult bald eagle has been visiting the nest once shared by Shadow and his fallen mate, Jackie, near Big Bear Lake.
The Friends of Big Bear Valley’s Nest Cams, which sit atop a nearly 145-foot Jeffrey pine tree in Fawnskin, recorded the feathered stranger last week and on Tuesday, Oct. 27.
During the raptor’s visit, the large bird inspected the nest before adjusting a few sticks and appearing to pose for the nest cam.
The nonprofit FOBBV said a sub-adult eagle was also spotted over the last few weeks at the nest in the San Bernardino Mountains.
Nest guest at Big Bear Lake
FOBBV, which called the unidentified eagle a “nest guest,” described the bird as a “stunning raptor” with beautiful “chocolate brown feathers for all of us to admire.”
“This eagle may simply be passing through, checking out the valley’s territory, or here for a meal as the lake is abundant with fish,” FOBBV stated. “The sturdy nest high up in the tree could also merely be a sturdy landing spot, making this eagle feel safe. What we do know is the view is priceless and this is one smart eagle to take it all in!”
Shadow and Kaydee
According to FOBBV, their cameras have not spotted Shadow since Oct. 23. Also, the young adult bald eagle, dubbed “Kaydee,” was last seen arranging the nest on Oct. 21.
Fans of the eagles believe Kaydee, who showed up hours after Jackie died on Aug. 10, is Shadow’s new mate.
Virginia Griggs took to Facebook to say the unidentified eagle is mature and more full-bodied than Shadow, and possibly a female.
“Could be looking for a mate- it’s that season!” Griggs said. “Kaydee might have an interloper to cause love triangle.”
Jackie’s final post-mortem
In October, the final post-mortem report on Jackie revealed a “complex and unusual disease process,” which led to the raptor’s death over the summer.
The necropsy performed by veterinary pathologists at the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance provided new information about Jackie’s “complex medical condition.”
Steve Kubiski, Director of Disease Investigations with the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, said “Jackie’s necropsy confirmed Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI)” as the primary underlying cause of the eagle’s decline.
All about Kaydee
Kaydee was born in March 2022 at the Prado Basin in Orange County, about 70 miles southwest of Big Bear Lake.
Kaydee was banded by wildlife officials, according to wildlife biologist Jenna Carpenter from the Orange County Water District.
The young eagle is believed to be female, largely based on her size and appearance. She is also about 4.5 years old, which puts her near the start of her first breeding season, Carpenter said.
Kaydee made her first appearance in Shadow and Jackie’s nest on Aug. 10, just hours after Jackie’s death.
FOBBV explained that the future of Shadow and Kaydee’s relationship might become clearer when mating season begins in December.
Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on X @DP_ReneDeLaCruz
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press.
Related: Jackie the Big Bear bald eagle died of bird flu, report finds
