Last week we concluded our Henslow’s Sparrow Surveys. Despite our best efforts, we never saw or heard the bird. Disappointed but not defeated, we’re onto our next bird survey: The Bobwhite Quail. This bird (pictured below), is downright adorable. Its whole body rocks as it cheerfully sings it’s name: “bob-bob-WHITE!”
How cute is this quail?!
From what I understand, the Park released several quail a couple years back, hoping to establish a stable population. Our surveys will give us an idea of if we are succeeding.
Allie Sloop: SCA Intern, Bird Expert, Early Morning Enthusiast
Our survey technique is a little different this time around. Instead of walking from point to point (as we did for the Henslow’s), we now have the luxury of driving to each point. Then we clamber up into the back of our truck and listen for 10 minutes. Allie, with her vastly superior birding skills, notes all of the birds she hears while I listen intently for the Bobwhite. We didn’t find the quail this morning, but I’m hopeful it will make an appearance. Fingers crossed!
On the Front Lines of Conservation 
I tried to reply to this via e-mail. It didn’t work. Grandma and I are very proud of you. We think that it is great that you are enjoying your work so much. Ideally that is the way it should be.
Here we are in the midst of a tremendous building boom. Everywhere they are leveling forests and putting up malls. We have a lot of nerve telling Brazil to save their forests while we demolish ours.
Sent with lots of love: Gramps