The Potomac Valley Audubon Society and the Washington County, Maryland Bird Club will co-sponsor hawk watches every Wednesday during October at Maryland’s Washington Monument State Park.

The dates will be Oct. 5, 12, 19 and 26. Every watch will begin at 9:30 a.m. and last until noon or so.

The park is located on South Mountain, off Alternate U.S. Route 40, just east of Boonsboro, Maryland.

The annual fall hawk migration occurs during October, and the Washington Monument park offers the best vantage point in this region to view these magnificent birds as they wend their way south for the winter.

All the hawk watches are free and open to anyone with an interest. Children are welcome if accompanied by an adult. However, space at the best viewpoints is limited and pre-registration is strongly encouraged.

Easy registration is available on the PVAS website at www.potomadcaudubon.org.

Participants should plan to meet Sandy Sagalkin, the watch leader, in the upper parking lot of the Park by 9:30 a.m.

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

Hawk-watching is very weather sensitive because these birds do not fly in rain or snow. If it is certain that weather will force cancellation of any particular watch, those who have pre-registered will be notified of that cancellation by email no later than 6 p.m. the evening before.

For more information, contact Mr, Sagalkin at 240-291-6465 or sandy.sagalki n@gmail.com.