JARED HUFFMAN TO SURVEY THE DAMAGE. SHE HAD HELD A BALD EAGLE NEST ON THE SHORE OF LAKE NATOMA CAME CRASHING DOWN EARLY THIS MORNING. THE GROUP, CALLED FRIENDS OF LAKES FOLSOM IN NATOMAS, SAY THE TREE FELL OVERNIGHT. KCRA 3 REPORTER MELANIE WINGO TOOK THIS PICTURE JUST YESTERDAY WHEN THE TREE WAS STILL STANDING. THE GROUP DOES NOT BELIEVE THE EAGLES WERE IN THE TREE WHEN IT FELL. ONE OF THE EAGLES WAS SPOTTED FLYING AROUND WHERE T
Tree that held bald eagle nest at Lake Natoma falls, nonprofit says
Updated: 10:37 PM PST Jan 4, 2026
A tree that held a bald eagle nest at Lake Natoma, a popular spot for avid birdwatchers, fell over the weekend, according to residents in the area and a nonprofit group that monitors the raptors.Friends of Lakes Folsom and Natoma (FOLFAN) affectionately refer to the bald eagle pair that nest there as “Mama and Papa.” The group previously told KCRA 3 that the pair came to the spot at Lake Natoma in 2017. (Previous coverage of the eagles in the video player above.)In a social media post, the group said the tree fell sometime during the night or early Sunday morning.Jim Cassio, president of FOLFAN, told KCRA 3 that they’re confident that no eagles were present when the tree fell. The group noted that the eagle they call “Papa” was seen flying around where the tree once stood. Last year, thousands of residents and visitors followed along as Mama and Papa raised their eaglets. One positive note, FOLFAN said, was that there were no eggs in the nest when it fell. Cassio said it’s likely that the eagles will remain at Lake Natoma and find a different tree to build a nest in, but that’s not guaranteed. The group’s lead docent, Kathy Kayner, said the eagles could rebuild a nest in four to seven days. See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
SACRAMENTO COUNTY, Calif. —
A tree that held a bald eagle nest at Lake Natoma, a popular spot for avid birdwatchers, fell over the weekend, according to residents in the area and a nonprofit group that monitors the raptors.
Friends of Lakes Folsom and Natoma (FOLFAN) affectionately refer to the bald eagle pair that nest there as “Mama and Papa.” The group previously told KCRA 3 that the pair came to the spot at Lake Natoma in 2017.
(Previous coverage of the eagles in the video player above.)
In a social media post, the group said the tree fell sometime during the night or early Sunday morning.
Jim Cassio, president of FOLFAN, told KCRA 3 that they’re confident that no eagles were present when the tree fell.
The group noted that the eagle they call “Papa” was seen flying around where the tree once stood.
Last year, thousands of residents and visitors followed along as Mama and Papa raised their eaglets.
One positive note, FOLFAN said, was that there were no eggs in the nest when it fell.
Cassio said it’s likely that the eagles will remain at Lake Natoma and find a different tree to build a nest in, but that’s not guaranteed. The group’s lead docent, Kathy Kayner, said the eagles could rebuild a nest in four to seven days.
See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel