Louisiana Master Naturalists of Greater New Orleans

Date: Saturday, August 31, 2019
Location: South Farm Unit of Sherburne Wildlife Management Area
Time: 7:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. EARLY IS BEST.

Details: Scopes will be available. Bring sunscreen, hats, and water; chairs are optional. There are no restrooms. Rides will be offered to and from the observation platform. (see more logistics info under "Directions" below). Valid hunting or fishing license or Wild Louisiana stamp required for persons between the ages of 16 and 60.

Directions: when traveling west on I-10, take the Ramah/Maringuoin exit 135. Turn right at the stop sign and then take the first available left
and then the first right which takes you through the small community of Ramah. Cross the bridge over the bayou. Turn right to go north on the
side-levee road. It's about 2 miles to South Farm; look for the sign on the left. Turn right at the South Farm sign to go over the levee to the
parking area. The yellow gate will be open and you can drive into the refuge and park by the ranger station. ATV's or trucks will take you to
the observation platform.

Sherburne South Farm is arguably the best birding spot within 30 minutes of Baton Rouge. It has enough habitat variety to attract not only the forest birds, but shorebirds in the fall, waterfowl in the winter, and it becomes a wading bird mecca in the summer. South Farm features several large crawfish ponds that are managed for wintering waterfowl. Usually, by the latter part of July, the pond levels are down significantly, making them attractive to herons, egrets, and Wood Storks, as the fish are concentrated into smaller areas.

Wood Storks have a fairly limited population in the U.S., breeding in small numbers in north Florida and Georgia. But it’s believed that the birds that we see here in Louisiana are of Mexican origin. These post-breeding wanderers come up around the Texas bend and follow the major rivers like the Mississippi. For this event, LDWF will open the gate that is normally closed and allow you to drive to the ranger station. LDWF will then provide rides to various tents located on the compound. Stay in the platform area so as not to spook the birds.