The Potomac Valley Audubon Society will sponsor two hawk-watching trips in mid-September. The annual Broad-winged hawk migration is usually at its peak at this time, and these trips should provide excellent opportunities to view these magnificent birds as they soar over the region’s ridge tops.

Both trips will be free and open to anyone with an interest. Binoculars will be available for anyone who needs them.

The first trip will be Monday, Sept. 17 to the Washington Monument on South Mountain just outside Boonsboro, Md. The trip will begin at 8:30 a.m. Space constraints at the viewing site will limit participation to just eight people and pre-registration is essential.

To pre-register and get specific directions, contact Sandy Sagalkin at 240-291-6465 or monsansagalkin@myactv.net.

The second trip will be on Thursday, Sept. 20 to Snicker’s Gap in Virginia on the Clarke/Loudoun County line. This site will accommodate many people, so no pre-registration is required.

Those who wish to join this trip will meet to carpool to the site at 8 a.m. in the parking lot in front of the Martin’s supermarket in the Jefferson Crossroads Shopping Center just off Route 340 east of Charles Town.

For both trips, participants should wear sturdy footwear, dress appropriately for prevailing weather conditions, and bring along water and insect repellent. Both trips will be cancelled in the event of steady rain, because hawks do not fly in such weather.

For more information go to the PVAS website at www.potomacaudubon.org or contact Mr. Sagalkin at the phone or email address shown above.