Meet the New Names for Big Bear’s Eagle Chicks
Bald Eaglets in Big Bear Valley Receive New Names Following Community Vote
BIG BEAR LAKE, Calif. – The names of this year’s eaglets from the Big Bear Valley eagle nest have been officially revealed as Sandy and Luna, following a significant public engagement initiative.
Friends of Big Bear Valley announced the results on Friday after a remarkable 63,915 name submissions were received from the community. The top 30 choices were then presented to local third-grade classrooms, where students cast their votes for the final names.
Chick 1, named Sandy, emerged as the clear favorite, garnering 30 student votes. Chick 2, Luna, received 25 votes. Other notable contenders included Star and Chip, each with 22 votes, and Phoenix, which secured 18 votes.
In a tribute to a beloved local figure, the name Sandy honors a former wildlife activist, Sandy Steers, who passed away earlier this year. According to a statement from the Friends of Big Bear Valley, “Please know that although Sandy would not have wanted us to outright name one of the eaglets Sandy, she would have been honored that you and the students went through the process and named one of the 2026 eaglets after her.”
The community has expressed overwhelming support throughout the naming process and the nesting season. Enthusiasts wishing to follow Sandy and Luna’s development can do so via a live nest cam, keeping alive the connection between locals and their wildlife.
