Story by Bill L. Olson

Wildlife updates and surveys take time and are a progression of acquired plus collected information.  Such is the case with bobwhite quail.

To provide a better understanding and appreciation of this process are two reports provided by Texas Parks and Wildlife Upland Gamebird Coordinator John McLaughlin.  The first was questions raised and answers provided for bobwhite quail earlier in the year with mid-season estimates.

The second report is the recently completed, full survey across Texas’ ecosystems with viable bobwhite populations.  Historically these resilient gamebirds with most having a lifespan less than a year show how they hustle to repopulate.  It also offers an insight into the major role timely rains provide to increase cover that results in better recruitment.

The following are questions raised and answers provided by McLaughlin.

What were the winter conditions?

“Mild winter conditions, warmer than average temperatures, slightly above average rainfall. Good for birds.”

What are the current habitat conditions, trending up or down?

“Habitat conditions across the state began to improve in 2023 with early spring rainfall, only stunted by a late summer heatwave. Birds increased in number in almost every occupied region of the state.

“Habitat conditions trended up coming out of winter and grass and forb growth was favorable in almost all regions this year except far west Texas. Most habitat improvements benefited bobwhites, with scaled quail in west Texas struggling with drought conditions early on.

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