QC Bald Eagle Days: It’s all about the animals

The eagles may have been the stars, but plenty of other animals got their time in the limelight this past weekend during the 2023 Quad Cities Bald Eagle Days event at the QCCA Expo Center in Rock Island. That annual event – a celebration and educational seminar of almost all things centering around wildlife – […]

The eagles may have been the stars, but plenty of other animals got their time in the limelight this past weekend during the 2023 Quad Cities Bald Eagle Days event at the QCCA Expo Center in Rock Island. That annual event – a celebration and educational seminar of almost all things centering around wildlife – attracted thousands of people to the Quad Cities from Friday through Sunday, Jan. 6-8.  Several hundred visitors began filling the QCCA Expo Center when the show opened late Friday afternoon. Many of them came for the wildlife and family-centered atmosphere. “We’re loving it. It’s good to see all the wildlife,” said Bruce West of East Moline. Mr. West attended Bald Eagle Days with his young grandson, Maverick Rhoades, 7, who was happy to report that his favorite part of the night so far was: “I got a wolf picture.” “He has been studying wolves in school,” Mr. West added.

Other visitors said they liked the many features of Bald Eagle Days – from the prize give-aways to the food vendors, wildlife education seminars and much more. “It’s a great place,” said Jeff Hall of Moline, who was joined by his family. “People here have been great to the kids . … They’re making us feel real special.” Bald Eagle Days featured many businesses highlighting their goods and services. Some included: Hiland Toyota, which had two vehicles on display; Arconic, which had its bald eagle mascot on hand for photos; as well as representatives from Mediacom, MidAmerican Basement Systems, Acri Company, Jumpin’ Joey’s Bounce Houses and many others. But for those attending, the highlights of the weekend were the animals featured by several wildlife and conservation groups at the show. Some of them included:

• The Big Run Wolf Ranch of Lockport, Illinois, had a British Columbia gray wolf, Canadian lynx, skunk and North American porcupine on display.
• Two alpacas were on display by Heartland “Criations” Alpacas LLC of Rio, Illinois.
• Snakes and many other animals were being shown by the Wapsi River Environmental Education Center.
• Bats were on display by the group Incredible Bats.

But perhaps the stars of the weekend were the big birds – especially the eagles presented by  the World Bird Sanctuary of the St. Louis area. During the event, Taryn Leach, a naturalist at the World Bird Sanctuary, showed the crowd a 24-year-old bald eagle named McGwire. (It was named after former baseball player Mark McGwire.) The eagle is part of the sanctuary’s education team to help teach people about eagles and other birds.

“We’re here because we want to teach people why birds should matter,” said Ms. Leach. While showing McGwire off to the crowd, she said the eagle is used to being around people and was not stressed by the crowds. “This is just another day for him,” she added. Other wildlife advocates told the opening day crowd that the most important part of the weekend event was to help educate people about the importance and need for wildlife in our world. “People need to pay more attention to nature. They need more education on wildlife,” said Tammy Yarger of the Hog Capitol Wildlife Rescue and Rehab of Kewanee, Illinois. A few feet away from the Hog Capitol Wildlife Rescue table, visitors were getting an education on wildlife at the Big Run Wolf Ranch table. Rainah Runty, the ranch manager, had a North American skunk in her hands. She was letting people pet the skunk while giving a few facts about the animal.

“Did you have anything to eat recently? She can smell the food,” Ms. Runty asked several people before they got a chance to pet the animal. “The crowd has been good and pretty steady so far,” she added. “I just want them to learn to live with wildlife and know they are important.” The importance of animals goes beyond the world of wildlife. Animals can also be of great benefit to people. That’s the lesson J. Dave Murcia, director of the Wapsi River Environmental Education Center, was giving as he showed a speckled kingsnake to children. “I often ask people ‘Would you rather have a snake in your yard or a house full of mice and rats?’ Snakes take care of those mice and rats,” he added. “I’m here trying to dispel some of the myths and fears about animals.”