Located at the western end of Snead Island at the mouth of the Manatee River, Emerson Point Preserve is one of the best birding locations in Manatee County. Characterized by upland woods of palm, oak and pine, mangrove swamps, lagoons and salt marshes, this 270 acre refuge is owned by the State of Florida and managed by the County.
The preserve is accessed by a fine network of shell trails and wooden boardwalks and an observation tower offers broad views of the Manatee Valley, barrier islands and Tampa Bay. On our two-hour walk this morning, my wife and I observed ospreys, anhingas, brown pelicans and a wide variety of wading birds; home to gopher tortoises, the refuge also harbors remnants of early North American culture, including the 1200 year-old Temple Mound.
Unfortunately, the western tip of Emerson Point Preserve has become a popular site for local fishermen, sun bathers and water recreation enthusiasts, detracting from the natural beauty and serenity of this subtropical refuge. If one sticks to the trail and boardwalk network, however, the pristine quality of the preserve's varied habitats is fully appreciated.
The preserve is accessed by a fine network of shell trails and wooden boardwalks and an observation tower offers broad views of the Manatee Valley, barrier islands and Tampa Bay. On our two-hour walk this morning, my wife and I observed ospreys, anhingas, brown pelicans and a wide variety of wading birds; home to gopher tortoises, the refuge also harbors remnants of early North American culture, including the 1200 year-old Temple Mound.
Unfortunately, the western tip of Emerson Point Preserve has become a popular site for local fishermen, sun bathers and water recreation enthusiasts, detracting from the natural beauty and serenity of this subtropical refuge. If one sticks to the trail and boardwalk network, however, the pristine quality of the preserve's varied habitats is fully appreciated.
