2018 Kansas Bobwhite Whistle Count
Source: Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism
Prepared by Jeff Prendergast
Excerpt from 2018 Report
RESULTS
Observers surveyed all 76 assigned routes during 2018 for a statewide index of 3.01 calling males per stop. Among the 70 comparable routes, the 2018 statewide index to the breeding bobwhite population was 10% lower than in 2017 (Table 2) which was a statistically significant decrease. There was a statistically significant (P < 0.10) increase in the average number of calling males per stop in the Southern High Plains region (60%) from 2017 to 2018 (Table 2). There were statistically significant (P < 0.10) decreases in the average number of calling males per stop in both the Smoky Hills (-14%) and Southern High Plains (-32%) regions this year. There were non-significant decreases in the average males calling per stop in both the Flint Hills, Glaciated Plains, and Northern High Plains regions with Osage cuestas indicated no change from 2017 (Table 2).
The statewide calling males/stop index has shown an increase at a rate of 0.022 calling males/ year (Figure 2, Statewide), however this is not a significant rate of increase (P > 0.05). The rate of change has been highly impacted by large fluctuations in the indices through time associated with the boom and bust cycles of bobwhite quail. We’re currently experiencing an extended population boom over the last 4 years associated with habitat improvements following recovery from the 2011-14 drought. While recent statewide increases are welcomed, the Glaciated Plains and Osage Cuestas regions of eastern Kansas (Figure 2) that were historically considered strongholds for bobwhite continue to struggle. These regions saw slight declines this year but remained above their respective long-term averages. However, despite the indices remaining above the long-term average in these regions, the Glaciated Plains region still indicates a long-term declining trend associated with habitat loss during the timeframe.
Bobwhite populations in the central and western regions have displayed more stable to increasing long term trends.