Hello all,
        I was going to suggest that you found an area that has yet to
decline.  I was out atlasing in Seaford West NW (northeast of Federalsburg
in southern Caroline Co.) on Sunday morning.  On Liberty Church Rd, I
actually saw a Bobwhite on the edge of the road.  I went "what the he** is
that?" and slammed on the brakes.  It had been so long since I had seen one,
I swear that I forgot what it looked like.
        On the farm at Oak Grove, they used to be common as dirt.  A walk
around the farm could not help but see at least 2 pairs, probably 3, another
in my parent's back yard across the road (and more on other roads in the
area).  But they declined in the late 90's, but I do not know why.  No
change in habitat locally, perhaps an increase in the fox population.
        On my other atlas blocks between Sharptown and Hickman, I have heard
Bobwhite on most of them, but it is one bird here and there where the
countryside used to be littered with a few years ago.  I wonder why there is
still a hunting season on them.

Good Birding,
Glen Lovelace III
Seaford, DE