Graduate Students | Center for Wildlife Sustainability Research | SIU

PATRICK CLARK

Email: james.clark@siu.edu

Advisors: Dr. Mike Eichholz

Research Interest:

Northern Bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) are a grassland-nesting quail species that have experienced significant population declines across their range in recent decades. According to the North American Breeding Bird Survey, estimated bobwhite numbers decreased by approximately 81% between 1966 and 2019. The major factors contributing to these declines are thought to be habitat loss and habitat fragmentation.

The focus of my research is to evaluate bobwhite habitat use, nest success, and survival in southern Illinois. I am using radio-telemetry to track quail movements and find nests on grassland patches that are managed using prescribed fire. I am also using call count surveys to study quail occupancy and habitat use at broad spatial scales.