Introduction to Birding: Stormwater Treatment Area 1-E
New to birding? This is the trip for you. Join Audubon Everglades Field Guide Marcus Kelly and Kyle Matera for a relaxed, beginner-friendly driving tour through Stormwater Treatment Area 1 East— a vital piece of Everglades restoration and a fantastic place to start learning birds. This slower-paced tour is built around teaching the fundamentals: how to identify species by sight, sound, and behavior, and how to read a wetland habitat like a birder. This event is made possible through our ongoing partnership with the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD).
Why STAs Matter
Stormwater Treatment Areas are large constructed wetlands built to remove excess phosphorus from water before it reaches the Everglades. As water moves slowly through dense stands of native vegetation, plants absorb nutrients from agricultural and stormwater runoff, cleaning the water before it continues south into the Everglades Protection Area. Over the past two decades, this network of STAs has cut phosphorus levels in Everglades-bound water by roughly 80%, making it one of the most effective restoration tools ever built. Beyond water quality, these constructed wetlands have become thriving habitat in their own right — supporting wading birds, waterfowl, and raptors, and offering some of the best birding in South Florida.
Why This Partnership Is Unique
SFWMD manages these treatment areas as working infrastructure, not public parkland, so access is normally limited. Our partnership gives Audubon Everglades participants a rare chance to get out onto the levees of an active restoration site and see firsthand how engineered wetlands are protecting the Everglades — all while exploring habitat that’s otherwise closed to the public.
What to Expect
This tour moves at a slower, more deliberate pace than our standard STA trips, with extra time at each stop for Marcus and Kyle to walk through the basics: how to use binoculars effectively, what field marks to look for, how to tell species apart, and what different behaviors — feeding, calling — can tell you about a bird. Expect plenty of time for questions. This is not a walking tour — all observation happens from vehicles or at brief stops nearby. Species you may practice identifying include Roseate Spoonbills, Fulvous and Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks, Limpkins, Purple Gallinules, Northern Harriers, American White Pelicans, Wood Storks, Snail Kites, and occasionally rarities like Least Bitterns or Crested Caracaras..
Whether you’ve never picked up binoculars or just want to sharpen your ID skills, this trip is designed to build your confidence and get you hooked on birding.

Event Details
• This is a carpool driving tour with 4 people per vehicle, including the driver.
• Check-In Time: 7:00 AM
• Start Time: 7:30 AM
• This tour starts promptly at 7:30 AM and gates will be closed — no exceptions. Please allow enough travel time to arrive by 7:00 AM.
• Restrooms: None available at STA 1 E
• Ages: 12 and up; under 18 must be accompanied by an adult
• Difficulty: This tour is designed for beginner birders mostly and moves at a very relaxed pace, but birders of all experience levels are welcome to join!
• Accessibility: Fully accessible from vehicles; some stops have levee edges for scope setup but do not require walking
• Terrain: Unpaved, dirt roads that can be muddy, uneven, and pitted with potholes
• Vehicle Requirements: High clearance, good tires, full tank of gas
• Trail Length: Approximately 6–10 miles of slow caravan driving with frequent stops
• Drivers: Register as “Driver. Passengers: Register as “Passenger” and indicate your driver during registration. If you do not have a driver, we will assign you one the day of the event.

•Directions will be emailed to you along with your tickets. Save that email for important information about your tour.

We look forward to exploring STA-1 E observing its extraordinary birds, and experiencing this essential wetland habitat together!

Additional information about your tour

Carpools

Carpools will be assigned the day of the event. If you are a driver, have your car ready to fit at lest 3 more people. If you are a passenger, you will caravan in any car with space available. If you have a group established but is less than 4 people, we will accommodate enough passengers to complete the car to 4 people. We are not able to accommodate requests to be placed in a specific car or matched with a driver after registration. Our agreement with SFWMD sets a fixed number of vehicles and participants, and we cannot add additional cars under any circumstances.

No walk-ins allowed — registration is mandatory.

Space on this tour is extremely limited. To give as many members as possible the chance to experience this trip, we ask that participants register for up to three STA driving tours per season. If you’ve already attended a recent STA tour, please consider stepping back so others on the waitlist can go. We may need to prioritize first-time participants if demand exceeds capacity.

Required Release Form

Submission of the required documentation is mandatory.

Submit your SFWMD release form to https://auduboneverglades-my.sharepoint.com/:f:/g/personal/clara_auduboneverglades_org/IgD_fSYzbPbUSbD07Ge0CxeQAYMvhPBn9s9bpXlqULSLk2w

Waivers will only be accepted if they are completely filled out—including the location, date, etc—and contain either a wet signature or a verified electronic signature. Typed names will not be accepeted as a digital signature. Audubon Everglades reserves the right to refuse participation or remove any participant from the tour who has not submitted the required paperwork or filled it out as instructed. Audubon Everglades also reserves the right to deny access to or remove any participant from the trip at its discretion, including for safety concerns or failure to comply with tour rules.

Tour Format and Safety
Each vehicle will be issued a radio for consistent communication during the tour. For the safety of all participants and to protect the integrity of the land, everyone must stay on the designated route at all times. Do not stray from the path or leave the caravan unless instructed by a trip leader.

eBird and Photography
• A shared eBird list will be provided. By signing the Audubon Everglades consent form, you agree your photo may be taken and shared on AE’s social media. Prefer not to be photographed? Let us know in advance. Share your photos and tag us: @AudubonEverglades.

What to Bring
• Water, snacks or lunch, binoculars, camera or spotting scope, sunscreen and insect repellent, wide-brimmed hat.

Important Reminders
• No drones, glass, alcohol, or littering. Space is limited — please cancel if you cannot attend. The caravan is led by SFWMD; all participants must exit the STA once the tour concludes.
• Listen to and follow the instructions of the Field Trip Leader. Do not walk ahead of the leader.
• Be respectful of your fellow participants.
• Avoid flushing birds: close car doors gently, do not slam doors, and minimize loud noises.
• Maintain a safe distance to avoid disturbing the birds. If a bird is flushed, do not chase it.
• Please follow the ABA standards of ethical birding and photography.

Cancellation Policy

Drivers – If you registered as a Driver and can no longer attend, please notify us as soon as possible — your cancellation affects up to 3 other registered passengers. Late cancellations may mean those passengers lose their spot, so please give us as much notice as you can so we can try to rebook them.

Passengers – If you registered as a Passenger and can no longer attend, please notify us as soon as possible so we can offer your spot to someone on the waitlist. Please also let your driver know directly.