RIFO biologist Heidi Woeber helps children spot eagles through scope. - FWS photo

A Clinton County Conservation Board employee helps a student look for eagles through a spotting scope. - FWS photo

Birds of Prey live show had many species to show children, including this male bald eagle. - FWS photo

Rock Island Ecological Services Field Office biologists Kelly DeGrandchamp, Kraig McPeek, Heidi Woeber, Jody Millar and biology student Hannah Kalk helped organize, corral, and guide local elementary school children through educational events, during 2007 Bald Eagle Days, in January.

The Kid’s Day events included a live bird of prey demonstration at the Quad City Expo Center and eagle spotting on the banks of the Mississippi River.

The 20^th Annual event started off with Kid’s Day, held on January 5, which provides students and teachers an opportunity to learn about the bald eagle, its status, and why they gather at Lock and Dams on the Mississippi River. 

Rock Island biologists explained why, with the warm weather and abundant open water, there were not as many eagles as we have seen in the past. This year we had 37 schools participate, with over 1,700 hundred students, teachers, and parents attending.

During the weekend session, Rock Island staff participated at the booth to answer questions and provide useful facts for the nearly 20,000 attendees of the show. 

The event is coordinated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Rock Island District), Scott and Clinton County Conservation Boards, City of Davenport, and Mississippi River Project.