The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will host a wood stork and wading bird event Aug. 31 from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. within the South Farm area of the Sherburne Wildlife Management Area (WMA) complex. The South Farm is located in Iberville Parish and accessible via I-10.
 
There is no charge for the event but participants between the ages of 16 and 60 are required to have either a valid Louisiana hunting or fishing license or Wild Louisiana Stamp to visit an LDWF Wildlife Management Area. These can be purchased at any license vendor selling LDWF hunting or fishing licenses, on-line at http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/ or by phone at 1-888-765-2602.
 
Wood storks and other wading and shorebirds are readily visible at this time due to the management provided by LDWF Wildlife Division staff. A number of large moist soil impoundments are flooded in the fall to provide habitat for waterbirds, especially
shorebirds, wading birds and waterfowl. Aside from seed-bearing herbaceous plants, the managed habitat contains an abundance of small fish and invertebrates, ideal food for wading birds.
 
The South Farm impoundments are drawn down in mid-summer to enhance the growth of wetland plants for forage for wintering waterfowl. The drawdown period is extended almost a month at times due to the size of the impoundments and the management strategy, which is focused on providing mud flats and very shallow water to concentrate forage for shorebirds (sandpipers and others) and wading birds (egrets, herons, spoonbills, storks and ibis).
 
The wood stork is one of only two stork species native to North America. Incidentally, in 2008, Sherburne’s Farm Complex hosted the only other North American stork – the jabiru, one of the largest birds in the Western Hemisphere. Wood storks, which can grow to 4 feet tall with a 66-inch wingspan, act as indicators of the condition of our nation’s wetlands. Historically, as wetlands disappeared, wood stork populations also declined. Wetland management units such as those at the South Farm provide critical habitat for the species’ survival.
 
This event provides an excellent opportunity for bird watchers, photographers and anyone who enjoys wildlife to see these and other waterbirds up-close. The South Farm habitat also provides opportunities to view alligators, white-tailed deer and many other species of birds. LDWF biologists will be on hand to discuss the management of the area and provide wildlife identification assistance.
 
Participants are advised to arrive early for the best wood stork viewing opportunities.
 
To get to South Farm, take I-10 to the Ramah Exit (Exit 135); drive north on Louisiana Highway 3000. Take a left onto the frontage road (first road encountered; near the small bait stand/store less than 0.1 mile from exit). Take a right on the road just after the old gas station (approximately 0.1 mile from last turn). Cross the bridge over the borrow pit and turn right on the gravel road that parallels the base of the levee. Continue north on the gravel road for approximately one mile until you see the South Farm sign. Cross the levee to enter the parking lot. Event coordinators will be there to provide additional information.
 
For more information about the South Farm birding event, call the LDWF Wildlife Division, Lafayette Field Office at 337-735-8682.