Wild Quail in Somerset - Slightly odd request.....

[julesapple]

Does anyone on the forum live in Somerset, and know where there are wild quail living?

I know, odd question. It goes like this;

My DD raised common quail from eggs. The plan was hatch eggs, raise quail, cull quail and feed to Jakk the Harris Hawk. The plan has gone slightly awry.

This afternoon we had a cat attack the quail whilst DD had them on the lawn during run/house cleaning time. We have cats so the quail were taken by surprise by this strange cat. One was badly mauled, two disappeared and DD was able to catch and pen the others. She decided, as the birds were fully grown, that she was going to do the deed (especially for the badly mauled one who couldn't be allowed to suffer any more) and she has dispatched them all except for one of the missing ones which didn't turn up......

.....Until half an hour ago! We've popped it in a spare broody coop, but we're thinking that after the fright it had, and coming back to find it's compatriots in the bait freezer/Jakk's crop, that we might release it into the wild. Quail are sociable birds so we need a flock, hence the odd request.

So, if anyone knows of some in a field near them near me, I'd love to know.

Jules

[lizzylemon]

Im too far away to help, but if you're passing cambridgeshire suffolk border let me know.

[Potstubsdustbins]

Jules, quail are a migratory bird arriving here in late spring and leaving in late summer so you sholud find some about at this time of year.

2 notes of caution the quail is a game bird much sort after as its flying habits make it very difficult to shoot. Also if it has been hand reared with plenty of human contact release into the wild is likely to be unsuccessful.

Colin

[julesapple]

Thanks for the migratory info, that's very useful indeed. We'd realised that it might not survive long, and having birds of prey, it's fate was doomed here anyway. It was just that, after yesterday, we thought it had earned a fighting chance rather than certain doom. They haven't been handled, but they do know who people are.

We just need to release it somewhere appropriate.

Jules

[Glutton4...]

...or dispatched and fed to the Hawk, which may be more humane than letting it take it's chances...

[julesapple]

...or dispatched and fed to the Hawk, which may be more humane than letting it take it's chances...

Yeah, it's a bit of swings & roundabouts. If we can't find anywhere, then it'll be joining it's compatriots in the freezer.

Jules