Bird migration can sometimes occur through the use of plane tickets, rather than relying solely on the natural ability to fly.
In the springtime, the Pennsylvania Game Commission embarked on a mission to introduce a group of bobwhite quail into a fresh environment. To accomplish this, they captured numerous quail in Florida and arranged for a special flight to transport them to Franklin County. Once there, the birds were released, marking the beginning of their new life in unfamiliar territory.
As part of a $3.2 million initiative, Pennsylvania is making an effort to reintroduce the northern bobwhite quail to the state. This small bird, which was once abundant throughout the commonwealth, is the focus of the restoration project.
“This restoration project focuses on re-establishing a population of wild bobwhite within their historic range,” explained Andrew Ward, a biologist specializing in quail, pheasant, and dove at the commission. The primary objective is to bring back these birds to the area.”
The quail, known as “the firebird” due to its reliance on fire for its habitat, reached its peak in the mid-1800s. However, by the 1920s, it was confined to the southern Pennsylvania and Ohio border.
The bobwhite experienced a slight recovery in the 1960s, but its population quickly declined in the following decades from the 1970s to the 1990s. According to the commission, it is estimated that the bobwhite had likely disappeared from the commonwealth by 2014.
The commission has been working hard for several years to prepare habitat at the Letterkenny Army Depot in Chambersburg. Their efforts will involve bringing quail from Ft. Knox in Kentucky, Ft. Barfoot in Virginia, and Florida over three years in order to establish a stable population in Pennsylvania.
According to Ward, we partnered with Tall Timbers research, who are considered the leading experts in quail translocation for our Florida birds. They efficiently captured all 50 birds in just one day and one night. The following morning, they arranged for a chartered flight to bring the birds up to us in a small plane.
The commission has already released 76 birds so far, with one more release planned for this year. As per the management plan, they anticipate needing around 800-1,000 quail for a successful reintroduction.
According to the commission, the estimated cost for habitat-related expenses and bird translocation for the period until 2026 is $2.8 million and $460,000, respectively.
According to Ward, the Northern bobwhite was once a native species in every county of Pennsylvania.
The habitat of bobwhite quail was destroyed due to changes in farming practices. These birds flourish in grasslands and shrubs, as they offer protection and ample space for them to navigate on the ground.
The thick overgrowth hampers the birds’ ability to maneuver, while the replacement of grasses and shrubs with forests eliminates the quails’ protective cover.
“Our bobwhite population decreased to the point where they were completely wiped out – we no longer had any breeding populations in the entire state,” Ward explained.
In order to bolster the quail population, Pennsylvania plans to introduce additional quail in 2025 and 2026. The Pennsylvania Game Commission has designated approximately 2,700 acres at the Army Depot to accommodate these quail, which is nearly double the estimated requirement for a sustainable population.
“When we relocate bobwhite, it’s crucial to minimize the time between capturing and releasing the birds,” Ward emphasized. “Therefore, we ensure that whenever we trap them, they are released the following day.”
During the early spring, relocating them can boost quail numbers by encouraging breeding instead of relying on capture-and-release methods.
According to Ward, during this time of the year, the birds are still in groups known as cubbies. However, soon they will break out of these cubbies and pair off. This is crucial because it is the key to increasing their numbers and achieving the desired population goals.
Bobwhite quail face a challenging survival rate in their natural habitat, relying heavily on their ability to reproduce quickly in order to compensate for the loss of birds to predators. Predators such as Cooper’s hawks, goshawks, foxes, raccoons, skunks, and opossums pose a significant threat to quail populations.
Ward reflected on the challenging journey that has led them to their current position, acknowledging the long and arduous path they have traversed.
The commission does not have a specific population target to achieve within a certain timeframe, as stated by Ward. However, their previous endeavors have guided their strategy. In recent years, the commission has prioritized the conservation of American martens, hellbenders, and the ruffed grouse.
In the 1980s, there were attempts to reintroduce the quail in Adams County. However, these efforts had only short-term success before the quails disappeared once again. Less than 100 birds were released, and there was little effort made to improve their habitat to ensure their survival.
If the repopulation effort is successful, there may be even more possibilities in the future.
According to Ward, the team is currently focused on expanding beyond Letterkenny in the near future. They are considering working on private land to allow the population to grow naturally. While no specific plans have been announced yet, they will be making assessments in the coming years to determine their next steps.
The reintroduction of the bobwhite quail to Pennsylvania has been described as a remarkable collaborative effort. Multiple organizations, including the Letterkenny Army Depot, conservation groups Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever, the National Wild Turkey Federation, the University of Delaware, and the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, have come together to make this initiative possible. Their combined efforts have played a crucial role in bringing back the bobwhite quail to the state.
The residents in the area may not catch sight of them, but they may be able to hear them.
According to Ward, the easiest way to detect them is by sound. He explains that their call is what gives them their name. In particular, males are known for their distinct “bob-bobwhite” call. This call is not only beautiful but also nostalgic for those who have grown up around or worked with these birds.
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