The Potomac Valley Audubon Society is sponsoring two birding trips to local ponds in search of shorebirds on two successive upcoming Wednesdays, Aug. 31 and Sept. 7.

The trips will visit several ponds in Jefferson and/or Berekely counties based on recent sightings, including a possible visit to Stauffer’s Marsh in Back Creek Valley.

Both trips will be free and anyone with an interest is welcome to come along.

For both trips participants will meet at 8 a.m. in the parking lot of the Martin’s Supermarket at the Jefferson Crossroads shopping center off Route 340 just east of Charles Town.

Both trips will be approximately three hours long depending on the number of stops made.

They should provide opportunities to view a number of different species of shorebirds as well as other water-dependent species and songbirds.

This trip will mostly involve driving and viewing through binoculars and spotting scopes.

Participants should plan to wear comfortable clothing suitable for the weather at the time and bring a hat for protection from the sun, rain gear, and water and sunscreen. Binoculars will be available for those who do not have any. Participants that have their own spotting scopes should bring them.

For further information, contact trip leader Sandy Sagalkin at mon sansagalkin@myactv.net or 240-291-6465. In case of inclement weather, contact him to see if the trip is still on.

Various details of the trip could change depending on weather and recent bird sightings.

The Potomac Valley Audubon Society is a United Way of the Eastern Panhandle partner agency and a member of the Combined Federal Campaign.