John I definitely believe the quail where I hunt would run. Also as soon as my dog would point, so many times would flush once my dogs stopped. Does not seem to be a problem With many guys that use them but for me I thought it spooked skittish birds.

I have never had a problem with birds getting spoked by the beeper. I run my GSP pup and older dog with beepers. In heavy cover I will have the puppies beeper on the setting for periodic location and point mode. The older GSP will run with beeper in point only mode. I have had both dogs with coveys of TX quail (bobwhite) almost under their nose with no problem. The puppy has not seen a Ruffy yet but the older dog has had a lot of past exposure in Canada with no problem. I wish I had some grouse in my part of NY.
Bob Jurewicz