Bobwhite also took a major hit in the terrible winter of 1976-77 (when the
Bay froze over). We lost our own "home covey" during this time period. Prior
to this my mother and I had enjoyed seeing the little creatures flocking on
our driveway and in our back field where it bordered the woods.

However, Bobwhite did make it through in other areas and I had them in NW
Branch Park in two blocks and also, at the Trolley Museum in Silver Spring
during the 1980s Breeding Bird Atlas. Then they faded away -- as did the
pheasant during the same time period. We had neither species in the recent
BBA, doing the exact same blocks --

I should add that I lived (in the 70s) on 2 acres adjacent to Sligo Creek
Park and right on University Blvd. in Silver Spring, not exactly what we
think of as "quail habitat." However the quail did fine for years and I
still have a tail feather from a cock pheasant who used to march across the
back field as well.

Cannot recall the last time I have heard a Bobwhite in Maryland...

Gail Mackiernan
Silver Spring, MD