Northern Bobwhite Surprise

June 27, 2023
Since April, a male Northern Bobwhite, a species of quail native to Connecticut, has been seen and heard regularly around the Connecticut Audubon Society (CAS) Center at Pomfret at 218 Day Road. Two female Bobwhite with babies of different ages have been spotted at the southern end of the sanctuary, about half a mile away from the building. Several observers have seen a couple of males. There also have been reports of Bobwhite on the other side of town and in neighboring towns. What are the birds’ origins? They are almost certainly pen-raised, escaped or released birds or descended from such. According to the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CT DEEP), the results of a number of studies indicate native Bobwhite has been extirpated from Connecticut for years. Read more.