Project Summary

Collaborators: This project is a cooperative study involving the Albany Quail Project, The University of Georgia, Tall Timbers Research Station, and several private landowners to investigate the effects of wild quail relocation on a geographically isolated population. Tall Timbers Research Station and University of Georgia are currently conducting both intensive localized and extensive statewide and regional assessments of bobwhite genetics using microsatellite markers developed specifically for such analyses. Commitments for the source of wild birds to be relocated have been obtained by AQP from several large properties in the Albany area. The relocation site is in Marion County near Buena Vista, Georgia.

Summary: Fragmented landscapes are a product of modern land management. This includes impacts on game species. South Georgia is dominated by landscapes that are poor or unsuitable habitat for Northern Bobwhites. When individual landowners undertake management to benefit quail populations often the response is not as positive as we would expect. Many of these places are “islands” of good habitat isolated in landscapes of poor habitat.

During the spring of 2003, we began a landmark study of the demographic and genetic responses of an isolated bobwhite population to a release of wild bobwhites. The study site is typical of many Georgia landscapes managed for wildlife being truly an isolated “island” of good quail habitat surrounded by relatively poor areas comprised of pine plantations, pastures, and small-scale agriculture. As a result, the bobwhite population on this site has been isolated, both physically and genetically, for at least 15 years. Management on the property is different from most because it has been intensively managed for 6 years, prior to the onset of this project, but with relatively minimal bobwhite population response.

This area provided a great opportunity to study the demographics and genetic condition of an isolated bobwhite population – an area of bobwhite ecology that has not been adequately investigated. Thus, during March of 2003 and 2004, we captured 60 bobwhites from sites near Albany, Georgia, radio-tagged and translocated them to our study site. Additionally, we radio-tagged and monitored 60 resident/native bobwhites were radio-tagged. We also initiated abundance counts and rigorous genetic sampling during 2003 – 2005.

Recent completion of the field portion of this study revealed that survival and reproductive output of translocated birds was similar to resident bobwhites, and population levels substantially increased during the 3-year period. These results suggest that translocating bobwhites does not negatively impact their survival or reproduction and may serve as a conservation tool in the future. At present, further results or conclusions from this study would be premature; however, the results from this project should provide terrific insight to gene flow, population dynamics, and the spatial limitations associated with translocation.

Information

• PhD candidate

• MS, Auburn University
• BS, Auburn University

Curriculum Vitae

Theron Terhune

Additional Information

You can find additional information about my research at the Bobwhite Genetics Project