FOLFAN Bald Eagle Nest Cam

You are watching a live stream of a Bald Eagle nest in our region, which includes Lake Natoma and Folsom Lake. Eagles mate for life and this adult pair has been using this nest for several years. They have had fantastic success in raising their young and have very strong fidelity to the nest. What’s happening now? As of today, June 9th, we have two fledglings. But what a drama-filled week this has been. On Monday, June 5th, two eaglets were hit by a “floater“ bald eagle. Floaters are adult eagles that have not yet paired with another eagle. Because of this instinctual need not being met, they can be quite aggressive as they search for a mate and a territory to call their own. Even though we are at the end of nesting season, this floater is still looking to start a family in its own territory. Thanks to our lead docent’s sharp eyes and camera operator’s diligent work, we were able to capture the drama as it unfolded just after 8:20 p.m. Monday evening. If you haven’t seen it already, check out the saved videos on the YouTube channel and look for “Adult Hits 15“. It is pretty incredible to watch. The floater first hits 15, who manages to hang on to the branch she was perched on. As she is struggling to right herself, the floater comes back and hits and drags 16, who stood up to look at 15. The floater appeared to lift 16 slightly, as if it was trying to get him out of the nest, but happily that didn’t happen. Watch 16’s body language just before he is hit - he is looking to his right at his sister and the floater is coming from behind him. Just before the hit, 16 hunches down, perhaps in response to hearing his parents’ distress calls. And after the second hit, we can see an adult land on an outer branch of the tree. Best guess is that’s dad after driving off the floater. Wednesday, June 7th, we had our first fledge! As is often the case, it was a bit messy. One of the females (either 14 or 15) fell from the tree. She landed unharmed and then flew to a stump just upstream and a bit lower on the bluff than the nest tree. Later she flew into a buckeye tree, and yesterday she was back on her stump, vocalizing loudly at a parent who was in an oak tree above her. (Update - as of Sunday, June 11th, she had flown back to the nest tree.) Thursday morning, June 8th, 16 fledged by flying up to the top of the nest tree. He has since flown back down, branch by branch, to the nest. All three are due to start flying significant distances any time!! This year’s significant dates: Eggs laid: February 6th, 9th, and 12th (based on the female’s restlessness, panting, bearing down) Hatch: estimate March 13th through the 17th (based on both adults’ behavior - bending to look at the nest bowl a lot, bringing in food and tearing pieces to offer down into the bowl) Confirmation of three hatchlings March 23 (three heads appear on the nest cam!) As with all wildlife viewing, one of the greatest challenges is how to get close enough to view it without disturbing it. We hope this live video feed provides our viewers with an opportunity to observe and learn about these majestic birds while protecting them from disturbance. To protect these eagles, we are not disclosing the exact location of the nest. However, many visitors know of the location and will visit in person. FOLFAN asks that if you do visit, please minimize noise, stay a safe distance away, and use binoculars, a spotting scope, or a camera with a telephoto lens to safely view the eagles without disturbance. When telling family and friends about the eagles, please consider sharing this camera feed with them rather than sharing the location of the nest. As awesome as it is to see the eagles up close with the nest camera, nature can sometimes be difficult to watch and the eagles’ role in nature can take a course that may seem strange or alarming to humans. This camera feed will not be edited for content. Please also be aware that if something happens to the eagles, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will not allow interference with the natural course of events at the eagle nest. For more information about Bald Eagles, use this link: Bald Eagles are protected by the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. These laws prohibit anyone from harming or disturbing the eagles or their nests. To report criminal behavior toward wildlife to the appropriate authorities, call: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at 844-397-8477 California Department of Fish and Wildlife at 888-334-2258 Let’s all do everything we can to ensure these eagles keep returning to this nest for many years to come!