Population and farming practices aside, “rain” has always been the key to quail populations. It is the ingredient that initiates the entire process…..It’s a simple formula but one which man has (unsuccessfully) been trying to control for decades! This much we 'think' we know....
No rain, no new plant growth (forbs),
No forbs, no insects,
No insects, no food for baby quail!
As I write this, much of Texas and the midwest are being bombarded with enormous rains. The Trinity and Brazos Rivers are above Flood Stages.
The Palmer Drought Severity Index is used by most scientists to gauge ‘drought’. A look at the latest 2007 Palmer Index map is good news for many of us. http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/research/prelim/drought/zimage.html
“Last summer was about as tough on most wildlife as it can get” according to a quote from a TPWD biologist in today’s (6.28.07) Houston Chronicle by outdoor writer Shannon Tomkins. In the article “What a difference a year makes”, one landowner was asked “…when was the last time you have seen this country as green and in as good a shape as it is right now”? The rancher’s one word answer, ”Never”! http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/outdoors/tompkins/4926776.html
The countryside around Falfurrias looks good right now with a world of sunflower, which is normally our signal for a good quail year. So keep your finger’s crossed…’mother nature’ is unpredictable’, but there is good reason for optimism.
Incidentally, a good way to keep up with monthly precipitation levels in our area is by checking in frequently on the Mariposa Ranch's (a close neighbor) website and click on the ‘precipitation’ link. http://www.mariposaranch.net/
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