Greetings to all, The date for the annual Russell County Bird Club is rapidly approaching! August 25th is the big day. As in the past, the plan is to meet at Laurel Bed Lake in the early afternoon for some visiting, casual birding, and tall tales. Everyone is invited to come. Membership is not a requirement. The club will furnish hot dogs and hamburgers with all the trimmings. Bring a side dish or an appetizer and whatever you want to drink. Remember that we'll be on VA DGIF property and that requires a use permit. If you have a valid VA hunting, fishing, or trapping license or a valid VA boat registration certificate, you're covered. Otherwise you'll need a daily or an annual DGIF usage permit. These are available on-line at the DGIF web site <http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/access-permit/> along with complete information about acceptable permit alternatives. You can also purchase permits at any licensing agency such as Walmart. In order to plan the food purchase, we need to know if you're coming by no later than Thursday, August 23. Please send me an email if you plan to come and let us know how many there'll be in you party. Jerry