HEBRON, Md. — State wildlife officials are working to rebuild the quail population in the Nanticoke River Wildlife Management Area after decades of steep decline. The quail population in Maryland has dropped more than 90 percent since the 1950s. The loss is tied to shrinking habitat, a reduced number of large predators that once helped control nest predators, and hunting pressure. To turn that around, the state has launched a long-term effort focused on habitat restoration and public outreach. Part of the strategy includes working with private property owners to encourage land use that supports quail. Inside the Nanticoke area itself, hundreds of habitat plots have been planted since 2009. Those areas include native grasses and forbs that provide both food and cover for nesting birds. To create and maintain suitable conditions, teams have used a mix of land management techniques to remove invasive plants and open up space where quail can thrive. The result is a healthier landscape that supports a wide range of wildlife. Other species are also benefiting from the work. Ground-nesting birds like wild turkeys, along with several songbirds in decline, have been using the same improved habitat. Officials say the impact is already clear. In just four years, the number of quail has quadrupled. Current estimates show four birds per 10 acres in the Nanticoke area. The program will continue in hopes of returning a strong, sustainable quail population to the Eastern Shore.
Photo: https://dnr.maryland.gov/