The Christmas Bird Count is close by for the Wenatchee area. Here is the information available for me to pass along:

Compiler: Daniel Stephens, Email: dstephens@wvc.edu. Count Date: 12/31/2017.

Comments: Contact me ASAP Dan Stephens at 509-682-6752 or dstephens@wvc.edu. We will meet after the count for a compilation dinner/event, place to be determined.

The Grand Coulee is a not confirmed as of this date, but here is what I have: Location: Grand Coulee.

Compiler: David St. George, e-mail: stgeorged79@gmail.com, not count date given. Comments: Participants will be meeting at Flo’s Café, 316 Spokane Way Grand Coulee, WA at 7 a.m. We will break up into groups to cover a variety of habitats from large reservoirs, pine/fir woods, sagebrush and small towns that make up the count circle.

Maps and field sheets will be provided. We will meet at 4:30-5 p.m. at Peper Jack Bar & Grill, 113 Midway Ave, Grand Coulee to compile the days numbers. Please contact David St. George 509-667-7472 email: stgeorged79@gmail.com if you would like to participate.

State park reservations

Campers can reserve state park camping spots nine months in advance. The reservations can be made online. It is becoming obvious many campers are reserving spots as soon as the reservations are available.

This isn’t a bad condition, but a good one. However, all campers wanting to make sure a certain camping site is available in July should be reserving the site in September or October. It isn’t unusual these days to have all of the prime spots taken by November or December. Again, this isn’t a bad thing, but we campers must be aware and make the reservations well ahead of time.

At this time, Garnet and I have reservations for camping at a state park in March, April, May and June. We usually don’t camp in July or August, because of the heat, but we should try these months, I guess.

Backyard Bird Count

Just a heads up: The next Backyard Bird Count will be held between Feb. 16 through Feb. 19. Visit the website at birdcount.org for more info. Also, stay tuned to this column for info as the dates become closer.