2023 Victorian Stubble Quail Survey

The GMA is conducting its annual Victorian Stubble Quail abundance and distribution survey from 14-29 January.

The GMA is conducting its annual Victorian Stubble Quail abundance and distribution survey from 14-29 January.

We will survey more than 70 Stubble Quail habitat sites over hundreds of kilometres of transects across public and private land, including native tussock grasslands, dryland crop and non-native pasture.

Professional wildlife ecologists will walk 4km transects and use a method known as distance sampling to estimate densities at each site.

A pilot study was conducted in 2022 to test the sampling methodology. An evaluation of the pilot study recommended surveying more sites and refining the sampling methodology.

These recommendations have been incorporated into this year’s survey design to improve the precision of estimates of Stubble Quail abundance and distribution.

Stubble Quail are considered to be the most common quail species in Australia, and the survey will improve our knowledge about their ecology, biology, and current population levels.

The Victorian Government’s Sustainable Hunting Action Plan (SHAP) 2021 - 2024 commits to undertaking ongoing quail abundance monitoring.

The continuation of this survey is key to the delivery of the new abundance monitoring program.

Data collected will be used to track population trends and ensure sustainable management of this native game bird.

For more information visit Quail Research.