The Increasing Decline of the Northern Bobwhite Quail

1. The Increasing Decline of the Northern Bobwhite Quail Brad G. Daugherty, Undergraduate in Wildlife and Fisheries Science, Tennessee Technological University, Cookeville, TN 38505

2. Project Summary • The northern bobwhite quail population has experienced a decline in the population due to the rapid declining habitat. • The objective of this experiment is to test certain fields, field A and field B, to determine which field produces the greater number of quail per area. • The hypothesis is that quail will prefer field B over field A due to the type of forge planted for quality habitat. • The method used to determine information will be basic observation of quail using both fields. The expected results should be that a higher number of quail prefer the habitat of field B than of field A.

3. Introduction • Northern bobwhite (Colinus viginianus) populations have been declining significantly throughout much of their North American range (Madison, Robel, and James 2002).

4. Introduction Cont. • Habitat development will provide a relief for bobwhite quail and other species. • Agriculture land use initially provided excellent habitat for upland game by opening the prairies and forest, thus allowing for greater diversity of food and cover (Herkert 1991a)(Weber, Roseberry, and Woolf 2002).

5. Introduction Cont. • Habitat improvements would greatly improve population numbers by increasing the amount and enhance the quality of the agriculture lands for nesting, brood-rearing, and roosting by bobwhites and other grassland species of wildlife by adding native warm season grasses and other conservation plantings such as shrubs and forbs (Dimmick, Gudlin, and McKenzie 2002).

6. Objective/Hypothesis • Objective: To test certain fields, field A and field B, to determine which field produces the greater number of quail per area. This will provide information to determine which types of foliage quail as well as other species prefer for food and cover plots. • Hypothesis: The final hypothesis if that quail and other bird species prefer field B than field A because the type of foliage in field A is not very suitable for quality habitat for many bird species.

7. Methods and Materials • Basic observation was the primary tool within this experiment to obtain data needed to develop this research. • The experiment started by walking in a straight line ten feet from the edge of the field, and every ten feet apart from here on out until reaching the other side of the field keeping count of the number of quail flushed out. • The experiment was conducted on both fields at different days but was done at the same time period on each field with similar weather patterns. • Data Form

8. Field A Approximately 1 acre in size. Planted mostly in fescue for livestock. Developed by conventional farming methods in a rural farm area. Produced fewer quail than field B. Field B Approximately 1 acre in size. Planted mostly in warm season grasses. Developed by conventional farming methods in wildlife management area. Produced higher number of quail than field A. Expected Results

9. Project Timeline

10. Conclusion • In order for the quail population to increase, areas must be established to provide food plots, breeding grounds, and cover for protection.