Quail
Increasing Numbers of Ticks &
The Decreasing Bobwhite Quail Populations
May 2017- Bobwhite quail populations began noticeably declining in Maryland in the mid-1970's. Today, reports indicate the quail have declined over 90% in Maryland in the last 40 years.
This is about the same time hunters in the state reported seeing, for the first time, a new species of tick on their hunting dogs and themselves. They later learned these were deer ticks that transmit Lyme and other tick borne diseases.
Bobwhite Quail- A single quail consumes 56,430 insects and 5,379,168 weed seeds in a year. It can eat 560 mosquitoes or 168 grasshoppers in a single feeding. Source
Mr. Tom Paxton (Maryland resident) has been conducting research on the declining quail populations. He is attempting to get a formal study off the ground that takes a close look at quails and their relationship to tick populations.
The study will calculate the risk for contracting Lyme disease after quail are introduced into a previously quail inhabited area that no longer supports a quail population, but has a high and/or increasing Lyme disease risk.
If tick populations are reduced by quail, will improving quail habitat be a viable solution to explore to help reduce cases of human Lyme disease? In other words... should we put things back the way they were before natural habitats were encroached upon by man and changed.
Original Bobwhite Quail Map- Ebird.org
Original CDC Map- Lyme Disease Cases
Thank you Tom Paxton for your interest and contribution!
To Learn More About Bobwhite Quail
See Video Program Below
Presented By The Ruffed Grouse Society
Bob Long, MD DNR Wildlife & Heritage Service Upland Game Bird Project Leader, discusses the Northern bobwhite in Maryland, its decline and how to manage its habitat to increase its populations.
5/26/11 The Northern Bobwhite in Maryland- Youtube Video- Part 1 of 4
(Parts 2-4 continues to play after part 1 stops)
Map of Quail Population in Maryland- Notice the southern eastern shore quail populations are highest. This area is also typically the lowest for reported cases of Lyme disease. Coincidence?
News Articles
1/24/89 A Gloomy Forecast For Hunting Bobwhite Quail
10/1/93 The Case of The Disappearing Quail
Tall Timbers- Eastern Shore Quail Restoration Project