This year there are a lot more Quail on the ranch and I want to mow some pastures. I'm seeing some pairs but mostly single males, I was seeing lots of pairs a month or so ago, I'm assuming the females are on the nest. When do they stop nesting, I don't want to destroy any nest. I haven't seen any hatchlings yet. Also the Field Rats are really bad this year, will they eat the eggs and hatchlings?

I'm no Guru but I will say, if you don't have to mow right now, I wouldn't. They are definitely nesting right now. As for the field rats, Dale Rollins says they are good to have, says they serve as a bumper species for hawks to eat instead of quail.

OK, I'll hold off on the pasture mowing till late August. Thanks

Good move.

Good to know

I wait till late very summer into early fall to mow. Hate to loose nesting cover or fawn cover.

Mow as late as possible. Birds can nest as late as October. When you do mow consider leaving strips or areas of higher grass between areas that are mowed. It will provide cover for young birds, you can go back and mow the longer areas after the area you first mowed grows up.
Don't worry about the rats, not much you can do about them and they will help keep coyotes, hawks and cats occupied. You often see a lot of rats when you have good quail habitat. Google ( Rollins Softball rule quail) that will give you an idea of what to shoot fore.