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Our Backyard Guests

Summer’s coming to a close here on Beacon Hill.  The days are still plenty warm but as twilight approaches, it brings that sense of cooler days just around the corner.

A family of quail (we call them bob whites here on Beacon Hill), have been making their appearance throughout the summer.  I’m curious just where they call home.  They just seem to suddenly appear at the edge of our backyard.

When the family of six (Mother, Father and 4 little ones) first came to visit it was probably one of their first outings.  The parents kept a close watch on them, making sure no one was left behind, and calling to them gently to follow close.  They came cautiously to eat from the seeds dropped beneath the bird feeders, always on the look out for potential threats.  Once they’ve had their fill, the family heads back out again for an unknown distination.

Sometimes I startle them from beneath the butterfly bushes and they take to the air in a sudden burst of energy, going in every direction.  I’d like to know just how they all meet back up again  -  do they have an emergency plan for such a thing!

The four young’uns have grown almost into full size now and appear to be on their own.  I haven’t seen the parents with them for a few weeks.  Guess they’ve been kicked out of the next!

Yesterday I sat on the backporch and watched the siblings pay another visit.  One is a little shyer than the other three.  It seems that one has been chosen to be the leader.  They’ve learned well!  When a larger bird flew overhead and startled them, they crouch down in the grass and blend in so well that I can hardly see them.  Once they feel safe again, the leader calls and they head down to the garden for a scratch in the dirt.

No matter how many times the bob whites venture into our backyard, I’m always happy to stop and watch them for a spell and I always feel like I’ve been paid a visit by a special guest.