Big Bear Jackie & Shadow's eggs update. I've been checking on them every day and here is the status. Jackie this morning The U.S. Forest Service made an announcement Friday, 02/21/2020, regarding Jackie and Shadow's eggs...here's what they said:"It?s hard to say this, but the odds of our Big Bear bald eagle nest?s eggs will hatch this year are diminishing each day.
We?re on day 44 and day 41 since the eggs were laid. They typically hatch between 35-38 days; even giving them a day or two extra for slow development due to cold temperatures, the window of successful hatching is closing. We haven?t seen a definite pip (crack in the egg from the chick poking a hole in the shell) in either egg. At this point, we'll be very (pleasantly) surprised if either egg hatches.
There are several factors that could result in a nest failure. The eggs may have been infertile from the start (incomplete fertilization during mating, etc.) or the embryos could have died during incubation (from congenital defects, weather, or environmental factors) or the chicks may not have been able to successfully break out of their shells. Chances are that Jackie and Shadow (as they pair of eagles are known) will continue incubation for another 10 days or so, but they?ll start leaving the eggs unattended for periods of time that will lengthen each day. "
We know all of this is hard to hear and see, it is part of watching nature. We will continue watching the nest and posting about Jackie and Shadow and their actions. Thank you for caring about the eagles and their lives.
Courtesy of FOBBV https://www.friendsofbigbearvalley.org/
The opinions presented do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Friends of Big Bear Valley (FOBBV).