The results of the first statewide survey of Victoria’s stubble quail population have revealed good news for the ongoing sustainability of the species.

The survey’s results show an estimate of 3.1 million birds – although a review of the methodology used found that some changes were required to improve the survey’s efficiency, and as such the population of stubble quail is likely to be higher than the estimate.

Conducted in January this year at 54 randomly selected stubble quail habitat sites, the survey found the largest population densities of the birds were in non-native pasture and seasonal wetlands.

The survey was carried out by independent and experienced ecologists and is being used as a trial for an ongoing monitoring program to ensure the long-term sustainability of Victoria’s stubble quail population.

While the results of this year’s quail harvest estimates are not yet available, the results of this research suggest that stubble quail are not currently at risk of over-harvesting due to hunting.

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