Big Bear eaglets officially named Sandy and Luna in student-led tribute to longtime eagle-cam director
Big Bear Lake’s bald-eagle parents Jackie and Shadow welcomed two 2026 eaglets named Sandy and Luna, chosen by community submissions and Big Bear Valley third graders in a fundraiser honoring longtime eagle-cam director Sandy Steers.
- Hatch dates and growth: The eaglets hatched April 4 and 5 and now weigh nearly three pounds each.
- Selection process: Nearly 63,915 public submissions were pared to 30 names and voted on by local third graders, who picked Sandy and Luna.
- Tribute: The name Sandy honors Sandy Steers, the late Friends of Big Bear Valley executive director who launched the nest cam.
- Watch live: The nest cam streams 24/7 on the FOBBV YouTube channel.
How the names were chosen: fundraising, public input and students
Friends of Big Bear Valley staged an open fundraiser inviting the public to submit name ideas for the 2026 chicks. The campaign drew 63,915 name submissions from around the world. From that pool, FOBBV randomly selected 30 gender-neutral names to present to local third-grade classes studying bald eagles as part of their curriculum (source: Victor Valley News Group, LAist).
Student vote and results
Third graders cast ballots and selected two winners: Sandy received 30 student votes and Luna received 25. Runners-up included Star, Chip and Phoenix (reporting: VVNG).
A tribute to Sandy Steers
Sandy Steers led Friends of Big Bear Valley and launched the eagle cam in 2015, helping turn the Big Bear nest into a global phenomenon. Steers died in February after a battle with cancer. FOBBV framed the naming as a local, student-led tribute while noting Steers’s humility; the organization said she “would have been honored” by the gesture (coverage: Popular Science, VVNG).
“Please know that although Sandy would not have wanted us to outright name one of the eaglets Sandy, she would have been honored that you and the students went through the process and named one of the 2026 eaglets after her,” FOBBV said.
Reading the eaglets: distinguishing Sandy and Luna
Observers note subtle differences as the chicks approach a month old. Sandy (Chick 1) appears larger overall with a bigger head and neck and a slight curve to its gape and has been described as more submissive at the nest. Luna (Chick 2) has been smaller and more aggressive, though early “bonking” behavior has eased. FOBBV cautions these traits may change and that the chicks’ sexes have not yet been determined (VVNG).
Growth and care: from two ounces to three pounds
At hatching, both chicks weighed about two ounces. Since early April they have been fed by Jackie and Shadow and have grown rapidly; FOBBV reports each chick now tips the scales at nearly three pounds. The rapid weight gain is typical for raptors and the nest cam captures parent feedings and development up close (VVNG).
A continuing tradition and public interest
This naming follows a pattern: last season the community and students named the 2025 brood Sunny and Gizmo. That campaign drew roughly 54,000 submissions, underscoring sustained national interest in Jackie and Shadow and the live nest camera (report: LAist).
The 24-hour stream is available on the FOBBV YouTube channel, where viewers can watch feeding, growth milestones and fledging preparation. Selected clips from the nest appear on YouTube as well (video, video).
Implications for Utah
Big Bear’s naming campaign offers a replicable model for Utah nonprofits, schools and local governments seeking low-overhead fundraising paired with hands-on education. Below are practical takeaways and broader effects.
- Economic impact: Utah businesses and nonprofits can adopt small-dollar donation models tied to interactive programming and online cameras to grow audiences and support conservation (see: VVNG).
- Political consequences: The campaign illustrates private, community-led stewardship that may appeal to conservative-leaning areas emphasizing local control and volunteer leadership (analysis: Popular Science).
- Social & cultural effects: Student ballots create civics and science lessons while honoring local service and tradition — values resonant in many Utah communities (LAist).
- Practical steps: Launch modest wildlife cameras, organize vetted student ballots, and tie donations to interactive events. Templates and outreach language can be adapted from FOBBV materials (FOBBV YouTube channel, VVNG).
Tracking Sandy and Luna
For those who want to follow the chicks, the nest cam offers continuous access. Observers can watch for further personality divergence, growth milestones, and fledging prep. For live viewing and ongoing updates, visit the FOBBV YouTube channel and check organization posts (coverage: VVNG).
Sources and reporting notes
This article draws on announcements and reporting from Friends of Big Bear Valley and local and national outlets:
- Victor Valley News Group (VVNG)
- LAist
- Popular Science
- ABC13
- FOBBV YouTube channel (24-hour nest cam and clips)
