14/06/20 - Quail influx

The Ings meadows in the Lower Derwent Valley are important for many bird species, such as Skylarks, Meadow Pipits and Reed Buntings, as well as our breeding waders - Lapwing, Curlew, Redshank and Snipe, as well as our small Corncrake population. However, each year the Ings flower-rich meadows are also a summer time home to a small but variable number of Quail, rarely seen, and often given away by their distinctive ‘wet my lips’ call coming from areas of dense grass and herbs.

Quail are a migratory species of gamebird, travelling as far south as Africa for the winter, then returning to the UK to breed from late spring. Three individuals were heard during the last week of May whilst a further influx of birds have seen numbers increase to 15 calling birds since the beginning of June. Others may continue to arrive throughout June and late July - these later birds may have attempted breeding in southern Europe, before having a second attempt here. Most years around 100-300 calling males are recorded throughout the UK, although national influxes can result in much larger numbers in the country, and such influxes are often mirrored in the Lower Derwent Valley - this year would appear to represent an influx year nationally, so we are expecting more across the site in the coming weeks. A staggering 91 singing males were present in the LDV back in 1997, followed by 70 in 2000, more typically 5 – 15 males are located each year. When visiting the site please let us know if you are fortunate to come across any singing birds, thank you.