The Potomac Valley Audubon Society will sponsor a birding trip to the Shannondale Springs Wildlife Management Area, on the east bank of the Shenandoah River in Jefferson County, on Saturday, Apr. 26.

The trip is free and anyone with an interest is welcome to come along, regardless of their birding skills. Children will be welcome. Pre-registration is strongly encouraged but not required. To register, go to the Society’s website at www.potomacaudubon.org.

Participants should plan to meet at 7:30 a.m. at the WMA parking area by the boat launch site, off Mission Road.

The 1,361-acre Shannondale Springs property is managed by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources; it includes a mixture of forest, brush land and open fields covering rolling hills. The trip will involve walking about three miles over moderately even ground.

Possible species to be sighted include spring migrants, Bald Eagles, Red-tailed and Red-shouldered Hawks, vultures, Great Blue Herons, waterfowl, and woodpeckers.

Participants should wear sturdy footwear, dress appropriately for prevailing weather conditions, and bring along water and bug spray. Binoculars will be available for anyone who needs them.

The trip may be cancelled in the event of bad weather.

For more info, contact Jim Farley at jamesfarley@frontiernet.net or 540-686-2056.