Mr. Bob White

A familiar call could be heard resounding up the hill from the Bayou edge..something that I have not heard often for the past few years with all of the construction going on around the area. I stopped in my tracks.."Quail!" There seemed to be a pair and I was elated to hear their calls. I told Hubby this morning that I needed to put out some corn and seed for these newcomers to the Bayou. We carefully chose a spot down the hill from the feeders and dumped a few cups of corn and mixed birdseed on the ground. I was in hopes that in a few days, my new friends would spy the feast and come dine. Perhaps I would have to reseed the spot several times before they had the courage to come out in the open but it would be worth the effort just to see them. Later, I could start easing the foodstuffs urging the covey up the hill along with the feast. This is how my cousin did with the ducks and geese..get 'em used to an area then move it a bit further. If it worked for ducks and geese, it should work for Bobwhite Quail.

I went about my daily chores..with many breaks to feed the baby Mockingbirds, Knox and Shelby. Then late this afternoon..coffee break for Hubby and me! We took our mugs of coffee out to the lawn chairs so we could watch the birds at the feeders. Hubby really seems to like the Woodpeckers and their were a nice bunch visiting today. I was more interested in the Eastern Bluebirds that were making use of the birdbath. Today, there were six! I was just telling him that I needed to get some more Bluebird houses when I spied a movement under the nearest feeder that was larger than the usual Mourning Dove. A small Crape Myrtle bush was between me and the feeder and was doing a good job of blocking my view. I leaned toward Hubby and peered at the ground.."Quail!" I whispered in a barely audible voice. He looked at me.."Where?" I pointed to our visitor.."There!" Not ten feet from our chairs, a cock was busy scratching the ground. I started snapping pictures!

Mr. Bob White stayed at the feeder for a good while scratching the ground and scooping up all the seeds that the other birds had dropped. Here we thought that we needed to be covert and coax the quail to us and this one was practically in our lap! It surprised me that this fellow did not even seem to mind that Ezzy, the dog, was watching just feet from where it was busily eating. Scratch, scratch, scratch..peck, peck, peck..the little guy ate. After about twenty minutes or so, he had enough. He started back toward the Bayou..first at a walk..and then a mad dash! It was so nice to have a new visitor at the feeders. Tomorrow"s task..a ground-level water pan just for the quail! I do so hope that Mr Bob White brings the wife and kiddies around for a visit someday! The buffet will be set!