I was out working in my front perennial bed on Sunday. I was cleaning up my patch of red-hot pokers, you know, removing the old dead leaves and flower stalks from years past. While working there, I saw some dead fine looking grass between the clump of plants and the house foundation. I pulled back the leaves and found a California Quail nest with three brand new eggs! I was so shocked that the quail have decided to nest in my garden! I carefully tried to arrange the remaining vegetation to conceal the nest like it was before I started messing with it. I checked it yesterday and another egg was laid, so momma quail must still like the look of the clump. They lay between 10 and 15 eggs, so I have quite a while before they will hatch out. It is right between our front cement walk and the house, so hopefully she won't be spooked by our comings and goings when she starts incubating after the clutch is complete. I also think it sits on top of my soaker hose, so may have to water the entire front garden by hand for a while!

Funny it took me this long to even notice it.

Jeff

Don't they lay a whole clutch and then incubate them all at once. It might be more than a week or so before she is actually sitting. That is a nice nesting yard bird. Here is a way way off topic - did you ever notice that a lot of old WWII movies had the sound of California Quail in the background - filmed in California foothills.

Jeff
That is really cool. Please keep us up to date on momma quail and her brood

Penny
Niagara Falls, NY
USDA zone 6a/6b
Heat zone 4
Sunset zone 39

Very interesting Jeff.

Jeff, that is the kind of surprises I like. Ward, that is interesting. I don't know what they sound like but I will have to try and find an audio so I can listen for them. I love old movies.

Linda
ne AL
zone 7b

Hi Ward,

Yes, they lay all the eggs then begin incubation after the last egg is laid (and they lay one egg a day). I feed the birds in the back yard, so at least she doesn't have to go far to forage when off the nest!

California Quail sound like they are sayind Chi-ca-go! Chi-ca-go! among other calls. Very distinctive.

I will let you all know how she does. At least she is still laying and hasn't abandoned it from me disturbing it before I actually new it was there. They should put a sign out, "This clump taken". LOL.

Jeff

I am so jealous! That is totally cool. We used to have quail on this hill, but they're a rarity now. Keep us posted?