The Big "O" Birding Extravaganza is a Glades/ Hendry County cooperative event in South Central Florida on the Southwest shores of Lake Okeechobee, the state’s largest lake and it's happening from March 25th until March 28th.

Glades and Hendry counties are becoming a mecca for bird watching; they'ree home to more than 300 species of birds, including limpkins and migratory swallow-tailed kites, and painted buntings which pass through during October and April. Five Great Florida Birding Trail sites are within the region: Dinner Island Ranch and Okaloacoochee Slough State Forest and Wildlife Management Areas, and Stormwater Treatment Area #5 (STA5) are in Hendry County, and Fisheating Creek Wildlife Management Area—East & West are in Glades County. You can expect to see ducks such as the Fulvous Whistling-Duck and the Mottled Duck; shorebirds like Black-necked Stilt; waders such as Roseate Spoonbill, Wood Stork and Least Bittern; and specialty raptors including Crested Caracara, Snail Kite, Short-tailed Hawk and Barn Owl. Plus, they’re always on a quest for that elusive Smooth-billed Ani. Go help them look! More information on the festival here.