Christmas For The Birds

Annual Christmas Bird Count In South Florida
CLEWISTON, FL. -- The South Florida Water Management District is joining with the Hendry-Glades Audubon Society once again as the group conducts its portion of the 113th Christmas Bird Count in Stormwater Treatment Area 5 in Hendry County beginning at 7 a.m. December 29th.

During the 112th Christmas Bird Count, Audubon teams in STA-5 and the surrounding area documented 121 species and more than 133,000 birds. The 2011 count documented the highest totals in the United States for eight species: fulvous whistling duck, blue-winged teal, endangered snail kite, purple swamphen, American coot, greater yellowlegs, Northern rough-winged swallow and gray kingbird.

Data collected during the annual bird counts—which span North America and beyond—are critical to studies of the long-term health and status of bird populations, according to Audubon. The STAs, managed by the SFWMD, attract large numbers of birds and also provide the public with a variety of recreational opportunities, such as hiking, biking and excellent bird watching.

Stormwater Treatment Areas are the water-cleaning workhorses of Everglades restoration. They have also become renowned havens for wildlife and outdoor enthusiasts alike.

Contact: Margaret England, Hendry-Glades Audubon Society, (863) 517-0202, sta5birding@embarqmail.com