What happened today (quick recap)
- Ravens try the “basement.” With Jackie & Shadow away, two ravens vocalize around the nest.
- Enter the Queen. Jackie flies in via the back porch, instantly clearing the ravens. She inspects the bowl, then posts up on the front porch.
- Territory watch. For ~2.5 hours, Jackie calmly scans the valley, preens, and soaks in a sunny November afternoon.
- Sunset reunion. Shadow glides in with a soft landing, shuffles a few sticks near the back porch, and shares bonding time with Jackie before the pair roost together for the night.
- Audio upgrade noticed. Viewers report crisp sound—wingbeats, landings, and vocals now ring clear.
Watch Live <— nest view & wide view
Key moments & timestamps
- Ravens get bold → Jackie arrives through the back porch and they’re gone within seconds.
- Nest check → Quick inspection of the bowl and rails before she moves to the front porch.
- Portrait hour → Close-ups, light breeze, feather grooming; perfect stills for fans.
- Shadow’s visit → Gentle landing, mini stick move, quiet assessment of nest floor.
- Evening departure → Jackie watches Shadow launch, then follows to their Roost Tree.
Community highlights: “Return of the Queen—All hail Jackie!” • “Audio is fantastic—hearing the wing flaps again changes everything.”
Don’t forget to sign up for nest updates if you haven’t already done so! 🦅
Behavior notes (what to watch next)
- Raven deterrence: Jackie’s swift displacement indicates firm territory ownership ahead of nestorations.
- Front-porch sentry: Extended “lookout” perching often precedes ramped-up stick work.
- Subtle nest assessment: Both eagles stepped gingerly on the stick floor, suggesting ongoing evaluation of the back-porch/“basement” area after recent wind events.
- Pair bond maintenance: Evening roosts together and light stick moves are classic pre-season cues.
Field guide: Decoding the Big Bear nest layout
- Back porch: Widest opening; easiest ingress/egress, but least stick retention during wind.
- Front porch: Prime perch for valley scans, pair bonding, and those iconic profile shots.
- Basement (camera view): Where wind-slid sticks collect; useful to understand “where did that stick go?”
FAQ
Did the nest take damage recently?
High winds caused a partial slide in the back-porch area; sticks dropped into the “basement.” Rebuilds are common—watch for increased stick deliveries and rail reinforcement.
Will they rebuild here or move?
Bald eagles often repair and reinforce if a site still meets their needs. Today’s confident displacement of ravens and long porch vigil suggest they’re invested in this territory.
Why is the audio suddenly so good?
A recent mic improvement means you can finally hear wingbeats, landings, and close chortles—a big upgrade for behavior observation.
