Big Bear eaglets officially named Sandy and Luna after public drive, student vote
BIG BEAR LAKE, CA — Two eaglets hatched to adult eagles Jackie and Shadow were named Sandy and Luna after a public naming drive and a third-grade ballot vote honoring the late Friends of Big Bear Valley leader Sandy Steers, the nonprofit announced Friday.
- Sandy (hatched April 4) and Luna (hatched April 5) were named after a public submission drive and a student vote.
- 63,915 gender‑neutral name entries were submitted publicly; Sandy was the most common public entry (3,706).
- Third‑grade students across Big Bear Valley selected names from a randomized 30‑name ballot — Sandy earned 30 student votes; Luna earned 25.
- The chicks are now nearly a month old, up from about 2 ounces at hatching to nearly 3 pounds each, and are showing distinct behaviors on the 24‑hour nest cam.
How the names were chosen
Friends of Big Bear Valley (FOBBV), which operates the widely watched Big Bear Bald Eagle live nest cam, ran a public fundraiser that doubled as an open call for names. The organization collected 63,915 gender‑neutral entries from the public and randomly selected 30 names to create ballots distributed to third‑grade classrooms across Big Bear Valley.
Students — who study local wildlife and bald eagles as part of their curriculum — voted from that randomized shortlist. The children’s choices favored Sandy (30 student votes) and Luna (25 votes). Runners‑up included Star and Chip (22 votes each) and Phoenix (18 votes). (Sources: ABC7, LAist, Popular Science.)
Investigating the selection process
FOBBV described the approach as a two‑step method designed to balance broad community engagement with age‑appropriate stewardship. The open submission allowed thousands to propose names, and the final naming authority rested with local third graders who regularly observe the birds.
Observers asked whether submissions were screened for duplicates or offensive terms and how the 30 options were randomized and distributed. FOBBV published vote totals and submission counts but did not release a step‑by‑step audit of the randomization process.
The organization said the ballot list was randomly selected from the larger set rather than curated for theme or meaning, and emphasized transparency by publishing tallies and submission counts. (Sources: ABC7, Popular Science.)
Sandy Steers tribute and community response
The choice of Sandy carried intentional meaning: it was the single most common public submission, with 3,706 entries, and honors the late FOBBV executive director Sandy Steers, who launched the nest cam in 2015 and helped grow its global audience. Steers died in February after a battle with cancer; FOBBV noted she likely would have preferred the student‑led process over a direct naming.
Locals and longtime viewers reacted with condolences, memories, and support for a naming process that combined student engagement with a community tribute. The moment underscores how local wildlife projects can become focal points for civic identity and cultural memory.
Eaglet development and early behavior
The chicks hatched April 4 (Sandy) and April 5 (Luna) to adult eagles Jackie and Shadow. At hatching they weighed roughly 2 ounces; approaching one month old, each is nearing 3 pounds. Observers watching the 24‑hour cam have begun to notice subtle differences in appearance and behavior.
- Sandy (April 4) has been slightly larger with a bigger head and neck, a slight curve to the gape, and has tended to be more submissive in sibling interactions. (Sources: ABC7, FOBBV live stream (YouTube))
- Luna (April 5) has been smaller and at times more assertive, showing more aggressive food‑begging behavior known to viewers as “bonking”; those disputes have eased as the siblings bond. (Sources: ABC7, LAist)
FOBBV said the sexes of the chicks remain unknown; eagle sex is often determined visually later or confirmed via genetic testing around 9–10 weeks of age. (Source: LAist.)
How to follow the nest
The nest is broadcast 24 hours a day on FOBBV’s YouTube channel, allowing global audiences to watch feeding, sibling interactions, and parental care in real time. FOBBV encourages responsible viewing, respect for the birds’ privacy, and support for the nonprofit’s educational work through donations and outreach participation.
Watch the live feed on the FOBBV live stream (YouTube).
Implications for San Luis Obispo, California
Although the nest sits at Big Bear Lake, the naming process and tribute carry lessons for communities across California — including San Luis Obispo — in areas such as environmental education, fundraising, tourism, civic recognition, and digital engagement.
- Environmental education model: The third‑grade ballot process is a hands‑on classroom partnership San Luis Obispo teachers could adapt for local wildlife projects.
- Community fundraising and stewardship: FOBBV’s public fundraiser that produced nearly 64,000 name entries shows how digital outreach can mobilize support for small nonprofits and conservation cameras.
- Tourism and local interest: Wildlife streams can boost eco‑tourism and regional pride; San Luis Obispo could promote local bird‑watching sites and streamed content.
- Cultural memory and civic recognition: The Sandy Steers tribute models ways to honor local conservationists with naming, plaques, or outreach programs.
- Digital engagement best practices: The nest cam demonstrates the benefits and challenges of 24‑hour streaming — from moderation and education to funding transparency.
Sources and further reading
Parts of this report are based on information provided by Friends of Big Bear Valley and local media reporting.
