The Potomac Valley Audubon Society is sponsoring a birding trip to the National Conservation Training Center outside Shepherdstown on Wednesday, July 17.

The trip will begin at 7 a.m. It will be free and anyone with an interest is welcome to come along, but space will be limited and registration is required. Children will be welcome.

To register, go to the Society’s website at www.potomacaudubon.org or contact Sandy Sagalkin at monsansagalkin@myactv.net or 240-291-6465 no later than July 15.

The Center’s 538-acre campus is not normally open to the public, so this is a good opportunity to visit.

The campus contains a mix of fields and forest, and it provides good habitat for a rich variety of bird species. This particular trip should offer opportunities to see a good variety of birds, including warblers, vireos, flycatchers, tanagers, gnatcatchers and raptors.

The trip will last about three hours and involve walking about two miles over moderate terrain.

Everyone should plan to wear comfortable walking or hiking boots, bring along bug spray to ward off ticks and gnats, and dress appropriately for the prevailing weather conditions.

PVAS will provide binoculars for those who do not have their own.

The trip may be cancelled if there is bad weather. For further information or to check on possible weather cancellation, contact Mr. Sagalkin.