08/23/2025
Obviously, weather plays a big factor in nesting. Man, it would be cool if California did this kind of research. And why not — we have a $4 million surplus/reserve in the Upland Bird Stamp fund.
How late will quail nest? During October 2024, we documented two instances of nesting hens, with one of these nests successfully hatching. An October hatch suggests a nest initiation date in early September. Assuming a typical successful nest requires approximately 38 days (15 days for laying and 23 days for incubation) for completion, these late-season nesting events are noteworthy. Both nests were discovered opportunistically and were not associated with radio-collared hens, thus they don't appear on the graph. The accompanying graph, which summarizes nest initiations by radio-marked hens on the Research Ranch from 2008 to 2024, highlights the rarity of such late-season nesting at these northern latitudes, as we have never previously recorded a radio-marked hen initiating a nest in September. Anecdotal reports suggest that this occurrence of late-season nests was not isolated to the Research Ranch, but was observed across a broader range of Texas quail habitat. Wildlife managers reported observing October broods in Dimmit, McMullen, Culberson, Jim Hogg, Stonewall, and Fisher counties. This year (2025), as of today, we have 3 marked hens we are currently monitoring that are still sitting on a nest.
🟢Earliest nest - April 13
🟠Latest nest - Oct 6
🔵Nesting season length - 48 to 127 days (graph)
🔴Something to consider if you are shredding or mowing
