Sad news out of Big Bear Valley…late Thursday in Bird World

12 February 2026

Hello Everyone,

There is very sad news coming out of the Big Bear Valley. Sandy Steers, the woman behind all of us being able to enjoy watching Jackie and Shadow, has died from a battle with cancer.

https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/big-bear-wildlife-eagle-activist-sandy-steers-dies

KGET covered the story along with dozens of other outlets in the region. https://youtu.be/7eZ6_pnIJ7w?

I will always remember Sandi as being one of the biggest and most devoted advocates for wildlife and, especially, our beloved Jackie and Shadow. Condolences to all those who knew and loved Sandi.

There has been speculation at the Decorah North nest that Mr North was MIA. Well, he isn’t. Buddy’s Mum posted a video today of Mr North letting everyone know is well and present! https://youtu.be/7eZ6_pnIJ7w?

There is relief at the John Bunker Sands Wetlands nest as JBS24 is thriving. The average time for this eaglet to succumb to HPAI, if that was what killed its sibling – which is doubtful now – has passed.

Tiny Tim at the Winter Park, Florida nest is thriving. That little second hatch, five days younger than its older sibling, has struggled and triumphed.

They are looking for name submissions – please give these two babys super names! Note the deadline!

Window To Wildlife​: #1​Hello, if you’d like to submit names for the eaglets, please see this link: https://forms.gle/7vYPwneMakwbaw3T7 The landowners will be selecting a pair of names that has been submitted. Ending Feb 17

Thank you for being with us for this short announcement about Sandy Steers. Everyone is very sad. I also wanted to catch up with two nests we have been monitoring closely. Take care! See you soon.

Thank you to all the news outlets for their coverage of Sandy Steers contributions to the welfare of wildlife, to the owners of the streaming cams that allow us to look into the lives of the raptors, to Buddy’s Mum for her video of Mr North, and to Window to Wildlife who is asking for our participation in naming those two cute eaglets at Winter Park.