The Potomac Valley Audubon Society is sponsoring two Jefferson County birding trips in early September. Both trips will focus on migrating fall birds.

The first trip will be to the Altona Marsh west of Charles Town on Saturday, Sept. 7.

The second will be to the historic Claymont property, also west of Charles Town, on Wednesday, Sept. 10.

Both trips will begin at 7:30 a.m. Both will be free and open to anyone with an interest.

The Altona Marsh is a rare, 70-acre marl wetland protected by a Nature Conservancy easement. Because this is a protected site and there are access issues, participants in this trip must pre-register and sign a waiver. To do this, and to get more information, contact Jim Farley at jamesfarley@frontiernet.net or 540-686-2056.

No pre-registration is needed for the Claymont trip. Participants should simply plan to meet on the Claymont entrance road where a wetland meets the access driveway. The entrance is located at 667 Huyett Road; it is marked by a street sign that says “Claymont Mansion.”

For more information, contact trip leader Joette Borzik, at 240-440-4221 or pep4223@comcast.net.

Both trips will involve moderate hiking. Participants should dress appropriately for the prevailing weather and bring drinking water, trail snacks and insect repellent. Binoculars will be available for anyone who needs them.