Quail researchers optimistic in early stages of Pineywoods translocation effort
Quail are all about habitat. Following multiple years of prescribed fire and mechanical mulching, the habitat within the 2,500 acre “focal area” at Rock Creek Ranch closely resembles that of a well manicured Georgia quail plantation. The footprint will eventually encompass most of the 9,000-acre ranch COURTESY PHOTO / CARTER MORBY
Bobwhite quail are dapper little game birds well known for their explosive covey rises and signature trills. COURTESY PHOTO / CARTER MORBY
Garrett Gordy watches as wild-trapped northern bobwhite quail take flight on his family’s 9,000 acre ranch in Polk County earlier this year. Tall Timbers translocated 120 quail from Florida to the ranch as part of the Western Pineywoods Quail Program. COURTESY PHOTO / CARTER MORBY
The 120 translocated quail have enjoyed a banner production year. At last count, researchers had documented 70 nests and 308 chicks. COURTESY PHOTO / TREY JOHNSON
It’s always cool to hear about a master plan coming together and working as it should, particularly one that is built around an ambitious wildlife conservation project aimed at restoring something really old to the way it was many moons ago.
Shift to Polk County in southeast Texas. It’s home to Russell Gordy’s Rock Creek Ranch — , 9,000 acres of upland pine savannah near Onala...
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