The northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) is an important game bird in Texas. Much is known about bobwhite nesting ecology; however, relatively little is understood regarding how nest predators influence bobwhite nest selection and re-nesting behavior. The objective of our research is to compare how the fate of an initial nest influences the re-nesting behavior of bobwhites (i.e., concealment, placement, and success of subsequent nests). Our study was conducted on 5 spatially independent study sites across South Texas, in Brooks (2000-2008) and LaSalle (2009-2011) and Goliad, Real, and Zavala counties in 2014. Through the use of radio-telemetry, we collected information on nest fate, nest substrate, and microclimate. In addition, we sampled concealment and herbaceous cover at nest sites. Data is currently being analyzed and the study will conclude in 2016.
Oral presentation and poster titles, abstracts, and authors from the Society for Range Management (SRM) Annual Meetings and Tradeshows, from 2013 forward.