Stormwater Treatment Area 5 Birding Tours

The stormwater treatment areas, owned and operated by the South Florida Water Management District, are vast, constructed wetlands that use vegetation to naturally cleanse excess nutrients from water before it enters the Everglades. These remote, shallow-water marshes attract many species of nesting wading birds, migratory and other water fowl such as great blue herons, wood storks, snowy egrets, great egrets and roseate spoonbills.

Tours are open to anyone, but participants must register to reserve a space on the trips. Space is limited! Tours are capped at maximium of 60 participants, and may be more limited on some tours. The STA-5 schedule follows the tour information and directions.

Tour Information

Reminders: Take sunscreen, water, snacks, hats and wear closed-toe shoes. Tour-participants must stay on the levee. There is no age minimum for the trips. Birders will now be allowed to drive around cell 1B in a one-way fashion. Carpooling is strongly advised to minimize the number of vehicles in the area. The caravan will be led by a Hendry-Glades Audubon Society member.

Reservations Required: To sign up for the STA-5 Birding Tour, send an e-mail to Margaret England with your name and contact information, the date you want to go, and the number in your party. You may also leave a message at (863) 517-0202. For general information, contact B. J. Kattel (561) 682-6640.

STA-5 Directions

Via Alligator Alley: STA-5 is south of Clewiston on the NW corner of Rotenberger WMA. From Miami: Get to Alligator Alley via your favorite route (e.g., Turnpike to I-75, Palmetto to I-75, I-95 to I-595 W to I-75). Go west to Government (Snake) Road at the Micosukee gas station. Take Government Road north to SR-835. Follow SR-835 east, north, and east to Blumberg Road. Take Blumberg, which quickly turns south, for about 9 miles to the STA-5 turnoff (dirt road). Go south for another 2 1/2 miles on the dirt road to the STA-5 entrance gate. Park before the gate in the area to the right.

Alternate route, US-27: From I-75, take US-27 north to South Bay. Contiue west on US 27 from South Bay toward Clewiston for about 13 1/2 miles. Look for Evercane Road (CR 832) and the J & J Ag. Products sign. Continue south on CR 832 for about 9 1/2 miles to Blumberg Rd (at the second bend in the road). Turn left onto Blumberg and continue another nine miles to the STA-5 turnoff (dirt road). Go south for 2 1/2 miles on the dirt road to the STA 5 entrance gate. Park before the gate in the area to the right.

Directions from Naples: From the Naples/Ft. Myers area, make your way to the town of Immokalee via SR29 or CR846. Once in the town of Immokalee, proceed east on CR846 watching for the "jog" in the road near the Immokalee Airport. Take CR846 east all the way to CR833. Make the very sharp right turn onto CR833 and continue driving east to CR835 as if going to Clewiston. It is signed. Turn east on CR835 and follow it all the way to Blumberg Rd. Watch for it across from the tall communication tower on a big curve in the road. Take Blumberg Rd. south for about 9 miles to the STA-5 turnoff (dirt road). Go south for another 2 1/2 miles on the dirt road to the STA-5 entrance gate. Park before the gate in the area to the right. We also have a map from Naples to STA-5 available.

2012 Schedule, Reservations Required

  • April 21
  • May 12: Spring North American Migration Count
  • June 16
  • July 14
  • August 18
  • September 15: Fall North American Migration Count
  • October 13
  • November 10
  • November 24
  • December 8
  • December 22
  • December 29: Christmas Bird Count

2013 Schedule, Reservations Required

  • January 5
  • January 19
  • January 26
  • February 2
  • February 16: Great Backyard Bird Count
  • February 17: Great Backyard Bird Count
  • February 18: Great Backyard Bird Count
  • March 2
  • March 20, 21, 22, 23: Big "O" Birding Festival (Trips and Photo Shoots)
  • April 13
  • April 27
  • May 11: Spring North American Migration Count
  • June 15
  • July 20
  • August 17
  • September 21: Fall North American Migration Count
  • October 19
  • November 16
  • November 30
  • December 14
  • December 28
  • January 4, 2014: Christmas Bird Count

Updates may be found on the Hendry-Glades Audubon Society Website.

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