I shall split my question into two parts and ask the first part first.
What are the rules for Quail being ticked? I see reports reguarly on Birdguides of "one heard calling from Farmer Browns cornfield at 13:25pm".
Are people ticking Quails if they hear them but still don't SEE them? Seems a bit of a bizarre cheat.
I've said this before, but I think to prevent people flushing, tape luring, trespassing and being a general pain in the arse, there are certain species that should be deemed tickable on call only.
Quail is definitely one. However I like the idea that you can tick them on your year list providing you have a sighting on your life list.
you have to see them of course! My world list would be much more impressive if i could count anything i'd heard cos it's a bit tricky to see them.
Unfortunately the kind of people after a tick of quail often are a pain in the arse Tom, you're right. So maybe in this case in UK there is a case for heard only being half a tick...or is that daft!
alternatively drive around one weekend and find a likely looking corn field with a ride in it and wait and wait and wait and hopefully you'll see one eventually. I used to do it in Derbyshire when i knew birds were present. Difficult but you only have to do it once.......!