Bobwhite Quail Project

By Tracy, Kristine, Isaiah, and Jacob Mase members of the Farm Education Group Small Animal Squad

Hearing birds make their calls and songs gives 10-year-old Isaiah Mase great joy. After being given the opportunity to incubate, hatch, brood, and raise Coturnix Quail in October 2018 he sought to find a quail species that could live year-round at Kinder Farm Park.

He found out that the Northern Bobwhite Quail once thrived at the park. With this knowledge, Isaiah's quest to bring back the Bobwhite Quail was ready to begin. First, he had to research then devise a plan for submission to the Park Superintendent, which required he write instructions on "How to care for bobwhite quail". Second, he had to ask permission for such a project to take place and was given an enthusiastic YES!

Next, Isaiah needed to recruit volunteers that would help with the 23-day process of egg incubation and hatching, and the 6-week process of chick brooding and raising. Roy Fielder provided the Bob White quail eggs. Lastly, he had to build a quail enclosure and secure a protected release site.

Finally, after weeks of caring for the quail they were ready to be released on June 13th. It was an exciting day for all who took part in helping Isaiah’s vision become a reality.

Isaiah would like to give a sincere, "Thank You" to Superintendent Bradley Hunt, Ranger Helen Overman, Roy Fielder, and the volunteers and his family that believed in him. He hopes everyone enjoys hearing bob-white and tu-tu-tu at Kinder Farm Park.