What happened
Overnight high winds hit the Back Porch side of the Big Bear nest, and a portion of the sticks slid into the basement below—clearly visible on the Wide View cam. The fallen sticks appear brighter (less sun-bleached), making the slide easy to spot and giving us insight into how the “basement” forms over time.
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Why that side? The Back Porch has the widest opening—it’s the easiest entry for the eagles but provides less structure for sticks to lock into, especially during direct wind events.
Is this normal?
Yes. Partial slides, sloughing, and edge failures are common in large eagle nests—especially after storm cycles or seasonal weight shifts. Most pairs rebuild quickly by:
- Reinforcing rails with longer, interlocking sticks
- Backfilling gaps with medium sticks and bark
- Adding fresh greens and softer lining later in the pre-lay period
As of this video, Jackie & Shadow had not yet returned post-slide—so watch for their assessment visit and the start of repairs.
Resident pair quick facts
- Male: Shadow (unbanded), resident since May 2018, estimated hatch 2014
- Female: Jackie (unbanded), resident since Sept 2016, estimated hatch 2012
What to watch for next
- Inspection behavior: Head-low rail checks, careful footing at the Back Porch edge
- Stick runs: Shadow (“Stickman”) bringing longer pieces; Jackie repositioning and testing stability
- Doorway/rail build-up: Expect baby-gate style rails to rise again ahead of the egg window
- Sound cues: Wingbeats on approach, stick crunch, and duet calls during repairs
FAQs
Could this cause a full nest collapse?
Large slides are concerning, but partial sloughing is typical. Rebuilds often restore stability quickly. Continued wind/snow load is the bigger variable—keep watching repairs.
Will humans reinforce it?
At most nests like this, the approach is non-intervention unless permitted and necessary for safety/research. Historically, eagles themselves handle nestoration.
Does a slide change the timeline for eggs?
Sometimes it pauses courtship/lining for a few days while rails are rebuilt. If repairs go smoothly, the season stays on track.
Why do the fallen sticks look lighter?
Freshly exposed wood is less weathered/sun-bleached, making new slides stand out on camera.
