Text Box: Millions of novice and accomplished bird watchers can make their fascination with nature add up for science and for the future during the 11th annual Great Backyard Bird Count, led by National Audubon Society (NAS) and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. During “Presidents’ Day” weekend, February 15–18, 2008, anyone can count birds from wherever they are and enter their tallies online at www.birdcount.org. These reports create an exciting real-time picture of where the birds are across the continent and contribute valuable information for science and conservation. “These volunteers are counting not only for fun but for the future,” said Tom Bancroft, Chief Science Officer for NAS. “It’s fun to see how many different kinds of birds can be seen and counted right in your backyard or neighborhood park.” Observers count the highest number of each species they see during at least 15 minutes on one or more of the count days. Then they enter their tallies on the Great Backyard Bird Count web site www.birdcount.org. The Web site provides helpful hints for identifying birds. Participants can compare results from their town or region with others, as checklists pour in from throughout the U.S. and Canada. They can also view bird Text Box: River Bluffs Audubon Society The mission of RBAS is to educate, inform and inspire the local community so they will actively conserve, enjoy birds and wildlife; restore habitat for them, and otherwise protect the environment. 2007-2008 Officers President: Celeste Koon (636-5593) Vice-president: Jane Frazier (636-7458) Secretary: Roland Hoover (632-6899) Treasurer: Rich George (893-5659) Committee Chairs Birdseed Sales: Barbara Duncan (634-5903) Butterfly Garden: Betty Richey (635-2590) and Linda Vogt (634-7035) Education: Ann Grotjan (573-796-4478) Environmental: Rick Thom (638-5553) and Anita Randolph (635-6018) Field Trip: Dan Reed (634-2599) and Rich George (893-5659) Habitat Improvements: Mark Sullivan (635-6404) and Carl Wakefield (584-6720) Hospitality: Maxine Walker (635-0751) Membership Mailing List: Cecilia Campbell (573-657-2357) Mailing Associates: Jan Griffin (636-6480) and Anne Perry (635-8423) Newsletter Editor: Kay Kasiske (782-3483) Publicity: Pat Mantle (635-1060) Webmaster: Trish Rielly (761-4021) Directors Lloyd Grotjan (573-796-4478) Jim Nordstrom (635-8024) Rick Thom (893-5376) The River Bluffs Audubon Society Web site address is http://rbas.missouri.org The Timberdoodle is published at the beginning of Sept., Nov., Jan., March and May. Deadline for articles is the 20th of the preceding month. Send them to <k@ultraweb.net.> Text Box: Great Backyard Bird Count Set for Weekend of February 15-18 Text Box: RBAS Reports Increased Funds Text Box: According to River Bluffs Audubon Society (RBAS) Treasurer Rich George, profits from bird seed sales and donations totaled $637.24. In the past, the sale income averaged $300-$350. Thanks to all who ordered seed and shopped at Birds-I-View. And a SPECIAL THANKS to owners Steve and Regina Garr, who donated to RBAS 10% of items sold on Nov. 3 Our profit from the silent auction November 8 Text Box: (minus the speaker's meal) was: $129.75. Plus, National Audubon Society (NAS) notified RBAS it is sending our chapter $634.00. Since the goal set by the Board of Directors is to raise $1,500.00 per year, we are doing well. This allows us to send the newsletter five times a year and do some worthwhile projects. Thanks again to all who supported the seed sale and to those who brought items to the silent auction or who took