Where to bird around Ft. Lauderdale?

I've never been to southern Florida before. I have a conference for work coming up, and I'm hoping to take one day of my own time and go birding. The conference is in Ft. Lauderdale.

Any suggestions on where to go birding? First, I've never seen the Everglades, and would love to see it, but have no idea where to go where I'd have a good shot to shoot birds. Note I've never seen birds like Limpkins, Roseate Spoonbills, Wood Storks, or Snail Kites, so those would be some that would be high on my list. There are also a number of gulls, Skimmers etc. that I don't really have much for photos, but again, I have no idea what beach/shoreline location would be best. Given that I've never been there before, there are a host of other south Florida specialities as well.

I just don't know where to go to maximize what will undoubtedly be one day, at most, for birding. Any suggestions?

Having lived in South Florida (Miami and Pompano Beach) for 17 years before moving to Orlando I would strongly suggest going to Shark Valley which is part of the Everglades National Park. Depending on where you are staying in Ft. Lauderdale it may take you an hour plus to get there, but it is well worth it. In addition to seeing allegaotrs up close (literally feet away) there are board walks out over the everglades for great viewing as well as an observation tower half way through the park. Its easy to get to from Ft. Lauderdale. It's located about 8 miles west of Miami on the Tamiami Trail (US 41). If you can find I-595 in Ft. Lauderdale and take it west to Hwy 27. Hwy 27 South to Krome Avenue (exit right off 27) South to Sw 8th street (AKA US 41/Tamiami Trail). Turn right and drive about 8 miles to the park entrance.

Wakodahatchee in Delray Beach can be good. http://www.pbcgov.com/waterutilities/wakodahatchee/

I've been going there for years. Almost all of the shots in my Flight Shots gallery http://lancewarleyphotograp.photoshelter.com/gallery/Flight-Shots/G0000zS3iRmmcrAE/ are from Wako. Shoot me a note with your number and I'll give you a call to tell you what's going on there now.

Shark Vally is great ,but from several years experience of photographing there I would say that only January and feb are really worth while .I suggest getting there early in the morning as the light from midday onwards is in the wrong direction and super harsh.It is worth getting there around 7.30 am when light is art its best and all though one cannot drive through as the gate is closed you can walk with your camera along the slew and get some beautiful images in the sweet light ,also great for flying shots at that time as the birds are leaving their nighttime roosts,you have a good chance of getting limpkins there and the purple gallinules are usually spotted there too.Flamingo national park is great for evening shootinging around Echo pond.The boarsd walk mentioned, you may find bitterns and amny other birds including wood storks.Good luck

Terry forgot to mention the park opens at 8.30 a.m. you can leave your car near the gate but be back in plenty of time to drive to the parking lot when it opens .Try and avoid weekends as it becomes a zoo.

Another location that is not far from Wakodahatchee is Green Cay. Here are links to a couple from my visits with bird lists and a few photos:
http://naturalhistorywanderings.com/2012/09/11/birding-green-cay-wetlands-with-audubon-society-of-the-everglades/
http://naturalhistorywanderings.com/2011/02/25/birding-green-cay-wetlands//