Over the last few years, the Refuge has been moving in a new direction with regards to managing the masked bobwhite.  There are three main areas we have been focusing on in order to improve the status of this highly endangered quail.  These include habitat improvement on the refuge, increasing our survey effort in Mexico and finding at least one other site to house a portion of the captive flock.

Habitat Improvement – There are many factors that contribute to the survival rate of the released masked bobwhite, but it is very critical that quail have the proper habitat to thrive in. Masked bobwhites need a high diversity of plants and structure that provide food, cover and nesting habitat.  Plant diversity is important, particularly legumes that provide a winter food source to help quail make it through the winter and on to the next breeding season.  It is also important to have small to medium shrubs that provide cover to protect quail from predators and temperature extremes.  Native grass diversity is also important for nesting.   In order to provide all of this for the quail, we decided that, in addition to prescribed burning, we need to manage the habitat using mechanical treatments and re-vegetation.  This means using heavy equipment such as a bulldozer and tractor with disk and aerator attachments to manipulate the soil, plants and structural diversity and then plant the areas with native plants and seeds.  Prior to any of this being completed, we are required to conduct archaeological clearance surveys so that we document all known historical sites and that we do not destroy any significant artifacts.

In Fall 2008, we entered into an interagency agreement with the Forest Service in order to complete 6000 acres of archaeological clearance surveys.  This involved hiring 3 SCAs (Student Conservation Association interns) that were then trained by a Forest Service archaeologist. They all worked together to cover nearly 100% of the area and documented all sites and artifacts that were found.  This took 3 months to complete and the final report is in progress.  We plan on clearing an additional 17,000 acres in the next 2 years. 

We are in the process of completing the Biological Assessment for the Refuge’s Habitat Management Plan (HMP) and in that it addresses the potential impacts this mechanical treatment may have on endangered species and the measures we will take to minimize such impacts.  Once we receive the Biological Opinion on this from the USFWS Ecological Services Office, we will have the green light to begin mechanical habitat treatments for masked bobwhite.  We hope to begin some of the work this summer and fall.  The HMP also addresses the Refuge’s plans for managing habitat refuge-wide that will benefit multiple species.  In addition, the Refuge is receiving some stimulus funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act specific the habitat improvement for the masked bobwhite.  This funding will enable us to complete some habitat work addressed in the HMP and will allow us to eventually release quail into improved areas.

Sonora Mexico is the only place in the world where the masked bobwhite occurs naturally in the wild.  Unfortunately surveys of the area by refuge biologists have revealed that population numbers have been declining significantly over the last few years.  It is important to work with Mexican landowners to secure and increase the last remaining population of masked bobwhite.  This may be done by protecting and improving habitat and possibly releasing birds into these areas in the future. First, it is important to survey current and historical areas for masked bobwhite and to have an accurate assessment of the population(s).  Fortunately we have received funding the last 3 years to pay several Mexican biologists to conduct routine surveys both in the core habitat as well as on historical masked bobwhite sites. Refuge staff has also increased survey efforts during the peak-breeding season in July and August.  We have identified sites with good habitat and sites that need improvements. In 2008 we entered into two Conservation Agreements with two different ranchers whose land falls within the current range of masked bobwhite.  These agreements require the ranchers to remove cattle from certain units and to do habitat improvements on particular sites.  This is the first time in the history of the bobwhite program where such agreements have been initiated.  The agreements were originally created to be for two years, but thanks to the Turner Foundation, additional funds have been added to extend the agreements for a third year.  Eventually we hope to improve more habitats in Mexico and consider the idea of releasing masked bobwhite in certain areas.

Captive Rearing Facility – The masked bobwhite recovery plan states that there should be three to five additional facilities to house the captive flock in order to reduce the risk of losing the entire flock to a catastrophic event such as disease.  The captive birds have been in one facility in Arivaca, AZ since 1996. We have been trying to locate at least one other site and an organization willing to commit to house and maintain a portion of the captive flock.  In 2008/09, we received support specifically for this purpose. We have entered into a cooperative agreement with African Safari in Puebla, MX to manage some of the captive masked bobwhite.   A lot has to happen before the quail are moved there, including permits for the transfer of birds and/or eggs across the international boundary. Also a facility needs to be constructed on site in Puebla, MX.   This is a very exciting step for the masked bobwhite program. Considering that this bird is primarily a Mexican species, it is very important that Mexico remains involved in the conservation of the masked bobwhite.  In addition, having the captive quail in Mexico will make it easier to eventually release the quail into the wild in Mexico.

Recovery Team – For the first time since the masked bobwhite was listed as endangered in 1968, a formal recovery team has been created.  This is a group of scientific professionals with a variety of backgrounds that will make recommendations to the USFWS as to what may be the best avenue to recover this species.

Will the masked bobwhite quail be released? There are plans to release captive reared quail again. The Refuge has been renovating the quail flight pens to make them more predator and rodent proof.  We are near completion on half of them and we plan to complete them in Spring 2010.  The plan is to place adult pairs of bobwhite in each pen so they produce their own successful nest next summer and then we will release the family units into improve habitat on the refuge.

Masked bobwhite quail recently sighted on refuge land! It was an exciting day in January 2010 when a refuge volunteer saw a pair of MBQ’s hanging out with montezuma quail. Refuge biologists quickly confirmed the sighting. That they were not in the habit restoration area did not detract from the delight.