Still no local circle

Still can’t find a count circle closer than Wenatchee and near Coulee Dam. Still figure some birders will want to participate.

The Audubon Society will hold its 120th Christmas Bird Count between Dec. 14 and Jan 5. This is the largest and longest-running citizen science project in North America.

The count happens count circles across Washington. This is an exciting count, as the early winter counts tally bird numbers by species and provide a valuable snapshot of where birds are concentrated at this time of year across North America.

Check the Audubon website for circle info.

Clam digging open

This requires a bit of a long trip, but many Columbia Basin residents enjoy digging clams. Here is the latest dig schedule.

Fish and wildlife has approved a five-day dig for razor clams.

The approved dig is for the following beaches, dates and low tides: December 23, Monday, 4:35 pm, -0.4 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks; December 26, Thursday, 6:47 pm, -1.1 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis; December 27, Friday, 7:26 pm, -0.9 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks.

Also: December 28, Saturday, 8:05 pm, -0.6 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors,

Copalis; December 29, Sunday, 8:43 pm, -0.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks.

No digging is allowed before noon for allowed digs, when low tide occurs in the evening.

All diggers age 15 or older must have an applicable 2019-20 fishing license to harvest razor clams on any beach. Licenses, ranging from a three-day razor clam license to an annual combination fishing license, are available on WDFW’s website at https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov and from license vendors around the state.

Under state law, diggers at open beaches can take 15 razor clams per day and are required to keep the first 15 they dig. Each digger’s clams must be kept in a separate container.

Fish and Wildlife looking for members of waterfowl advisory group

Fish and Wildlife is seeking applicants to serve on a Waterfowl Advisory Group, a citizen advisory group that advises the department on waterfowl management issues.

The new members will begin a three-year term on Feb.1, 2020. The application deadline is Jan. 3 at 5 p.m. To apply, fill out the application at wdfw.wa.gov/about/advisory/wfag.

The Waterfowl Advisory Group holds at least one single day meeting each year. Members are eligible to be reimbursed by WDFW for travel expenses to attend meetings.

Candidates can submit applications to Kyle Spragens, via email at Kyle.Spragens@dfw.wa.gov or via regular mail at

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, P.O. Box 43141, Olympia, WA 98504.

A reminder: Continuing seasons

Quail and partridge

The quail and Hun season continue through Jan. 20. The quail daily limit is 10 quail per day. The partridge daily limit is six chukar and six Huns per day.

Duck

Continues through Jan. 26.

Goose

Continues through Jan. 26, but we have a Feb. 22 through March 4 season to be explained later.

Pheasant

Continues through Jan. 20, 2020.

Grouse

Forest grouse will continue through Dec. 31. The legal limit is four of any species, to include not more than three of each species.

Fall turkey

This season will continue through Dec. 31, in Game Management Units 101 through 154, and 162 through 186 The limit is two beardless and two either sex turkeys.

This is a four-month season, with four turkey tags to fill per hunter.