Researcher(s)
- Sydney Butler, Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Delaware
Faculty Mentor(s)
- Christopher Williams, Entomology and Wildlife Ecology, University of Delaware
- Jeffrey Buler, Entomology and Wildlife Ecology, University of Delaware
Abstract
Northern bobwhite is a small endemic gamebird that has experienced declines range-wide, especially so in the northeastern United States. Bobwhites were extirpated from Pennsylvania about 20 years ago. A reintroduction effort began one year ago on Letterkenny Army Depot(LEAD), and to date, 174 quail have been translocated from Florida, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Little is known about the habitat use of translocated bobwhite. My project will investigate third-order habitat use of individuals from different source populations. This summer, I have been tracking individuals and gathering vegetation data on nest and daily locations. The results of my research will serve to better inform habitat managers in Pennsylvania and the region on the habitat and breeding requirements of translocated quail. This will serve as a part of the larger effort to stabilize and potentially grow bobwhite populations in the region.