(Submitted photo) Chincoteague Island is shown above, this is just one of the places on the Eastern Shore trip. The trip will take place Feb. 19. For more information about the trip e-mail dkmyles@comcast.net.

The Potomac Valley Audubon Society is sponsoring a birding trip to the Eastern Shore Feb. 19 and 20 that will include visits to the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge and Assateague Island National Seashore, and perhaps Ocean City and beyond.

This will be a great time to visit the area as waterfowl will be staging there for their migration north.

The trip will be led by veteran birder David Myles. Those with an interest is welcome to participate. There is no fee, but each participant will be responsible for his or her own travel arrangements and expenses.

Those who wish to participate should meet at 6:30 a.m. Feb. 19 in the lobby of the Chincoteague Island Best Western motel, 7105 Maddox Blvd.

There are a number of lodging opportunities in and around Chincoteague Island. Mr. Myles will be staying at the Best Western; rooms can be booked there at www.bestwestern.com or by calling 800-553-6117.

For more information about the trip or carpooling possibilities, contact Mr. Myles by email at dkmyles@comcast.net.

The Chincoteague Refuge is renowned for its abundant, diverse bird habitat. It includes more than 14,000 acres of beach, dunes, marsh, and maritime forest, and its location along the Atlantic Flyway makes it a vital resting and feeding spot for more than 320 species of birds. Most conspicuous are seabirds, shorebirds, wading birds, raptors and waterfowl.

The Assateague Island Seashore is also home to the “Chincoteague Ponies” descendants of colonial horses brought to the island in the 17th century by Eastern Shore planters. The ponies are wild and have adapted to their environment.

– From staff reports