Northern Bobwhite in Ely

[Steve Foss]

Here are some images I just took of a female Northern Bobwhite in our Ely garden.

I went out with my camera after I first saw her this morning and heard her calling from the woods/brush right behind our yard. I got Lisa to use her iPhone bird song app, and when she played the Bobwhite call, the female came running full speed toward it, stopping about five feet away and calling loudly in a way I associate with a covey that's been broken up and is looking to reform.

I know one person in Winton who has had some Bobwhites hanging around. My guess would be these are released/escaped birds from some type of hunting farm. They are significantly north of their range, as per Sibley. But I'm wondering if anyone knows of more reports that might indicate the species has expanded north.

Sure was nice to hear them. Reminded me of my youth around LaCrosse and the Eastman, Wis., dairy farm, when the Bobwhite and Whip-poor-wills would sing together in the late evening.

[Pinusbanksiana]

Released for sure. There is NO other way. Bobwhites are even on the decline in their home range.

[Gordie]

Simply Stunning Mr. Foss

Thanks for sharing.

[LeeKen]

Nice pictures of a great find! Any Ivory-billed woodpeckers in your yard?

[Steve Foss]

Any Ivory-billed woodpeckers in your yard?

Yes, but they are very wary! I'll post pics here if I can get them.

[monstermoose78]

When I was in my last fall of college in Vermilion in Ely at the out door learning center we saw a Chukar Partridge and Hen Pheasant out there. Also there used to be some turkeys south of Little Long lake.