cockroach bay aquaitc preserve

Again the Bird Book says so many birds here. Yes if you have a boat, you cant get to the water for trailers. and there is 50 foot of river to be accessed, that's it, No Boat no fun.

An early-morning visit to Cockroach Bay in near-freezing (1C/34F!) temperatures was fruitful for spotting and photographing birds: spoonbills, ibises, cranes, egrets, herons, hawks, ospreys, creepers, songbirds and more. But the lack of signage is rather annoying. There is a large "Cockroach Bay" sign at the corner of Cockroach Bay Road and Gulf City Road, but the welcome kiosk is nowhere to be found. There are many trails near the intersection, from both roads, but not well posted. Look for an opening in the fences, or drive to the end of Cockroach Bay road, near the boat ramp, and you will find many lookouts onto the shallow water.It's a very nice place, but would be better yet if the government invested in a few signs indicating where to get started ...

On the Florida Birding Trail, Cockroach Bay Aquatic Preserve should not be missed! Tucked away on the east side of Tampa Bay, midway between Brandon and Bradenton, this nature preserve offered fabulous viewing of roseate spoonbills, egrets, glossy ibis, songbirds and shorebirds.