Quail Nest in artichoke

Yesterday evening I was pulling out the dead lower leaves from an artichoke (probably about 50% of the leaves are dead now (the whole lower half), I don't know if this is supposed to happen but it seems to every summer and the plant is fine) and I found a nest of eggs. Initially we thought it was a nest from last year that just never hatched, but I wanted to get pictures before I moved the eggs, so I left it until today.

When I went back to take pictures and remove the eggs (they are fairly exposed now, opposed to their being under 15cm of dead leaves yesterday) I found a mother quail sitting on the eggs. I actually got within 3 feet of her before I even noticed, she stayed perfectly still the whole time.

I am very surprised that the mother would come back, especially after the huge change in the environment.


I remember seeing baby quail over a month ago running around the golf course and the desert, so I wonder if these eggs will ever hatch? It seems past the season for baby quail. Is it possible that this nest is dead and the mother just won't leave? If so, should I remove the eggs and finish working on the garden? (The blocks around the garden need to be painted, and I have to replace all of the dirt in the garden with soil, all in the next 2 weeks)




Mother Quail on Nest ( photo / image / picture from aliencam's Garden )






Artichoke Plant With Quail Nest ( photo / image / picture from aliencam's Garden )

 

Wow, I don't know . She just looks so sweet sitting there

 

My first thought is that maybe quail raise several sets of young during one season.