100 Quail To Be Released In Port Washington To Help Combat Ticks

TOWN OF NORTH HEMPSTEAD, NY — About 100 Northern Bobwhite quail will be released Friday at Hempstead Harbor Nature Trail as part of the Town of North Hempstead's annual effort to help naturally reduce tick populations.

The 10th annual quail release is scheduled for 11 a.m. on July 24 at Hempstead Harbor Nature Trail – North Hempstead Beach Park located at 175 West Shore Road in Port Washington.

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According to the Town, North Hempstead was the first municipality on Long Island to use quail as a natural method of tick control. Over the past decade, approximately 300 quail have been raised and released through the program.

This year, 50 of the 100 ground-dwelling birds were raised at the local Clark Botanic Garden.

The North Hempstead Town Supervisor Jennifer DeSena, members of the North Hempstead Town Board, Sally Wellinger, The Center for Environmental Education and Discovery, Town of North Hempstead Parks Department, Public Library Volunteers, and Children from the "Yes We Can" Community Center Summer Camp are expected to participate in the release.

It will take place adjacent to the South parking lot at North Hempstead Beach Park.