Emerson Point Preserve birding guide
A bayside peninsula with a 60-foot tower, a bird blind, mangrove trails, and a 1,000-year-old temple mound.
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Quick facts
- Where
- 5801 17th St W, Palmetto, FL 34221 (Snead Island, Palmetto, Manatee County)
- Hours
- Sunrise to sunset, 365 days a year.
- Fees
- Free.
- Best time
- Morning. The preserve is open sunrise to sunset.
Overview
Emerson Point Preserve covers the western tip of Snead Island where the Manatee River meets Tampa Bay. A paved trail runs the length of the preserve, with boardwalks and nine trails through mangroves, hammocks, ponds, and coastal habitat. Manatee County Audubon notes 241 species recorded on eBird.
The preserve also protects the Portavant Mound, a Native American temple mound more than 1,000 years old.
Birds to expect by season
Late October and November
Fall migration brings warblers to the wooded trails, and the Tower Trail is a good place to look for migrants and listen for rails. Along Tampa Bay, the Beach Walk trail can turn up loons, grebes, and American Oystercatchers.
- warblers
- rails
- Common Loon
- grebes
- American Oystercatcher
- Brown Pelican
- Mottled Duck
- Yellow-crowned Night-Heron
- Wood Stork
- Roseate Spoonbill
- woodpeckers
- thrushes
Year-round regulars
- Magnificent Frigatebird
- Roseate Spoonbill
- Wood Stork
- Yellow-crowned Night-Heron
- Mottled Duck
Spring and summer
Spring migration is the best time for warblers around the Portavant Mound lot. A small number of Mangrove Cuckoos live in the preserve.
Where to park
Enter at 5801 17th St W, Palmetto. The road through the preserve has several lots: the Portavant Mound lot (first), the Visitor Center lot (where Manatee Audubon field trips start), the observation tower lot, and the Terra Ceia Trail and kayak launch lot.
Trails and viewing spots
- Portavant Mound lot and short trails: the best place for warblers in migration.
- South Restoration Trail from the Visitor Center: woodpeckers, thrushes, and warblers.
- "Magic Pond" bird blind: close looks at waders and ducks.
- Observation tower (60 ft) on the Tower Trail: views over the Manatee River, Terra Ceia Bay, and Tampa Bay.
- Terra Ceia Trail (1 mile, three overlooks) and the Beach Walk trail.
Tips
- The fishing dock is closed for hurricane repairs until further notice.
- Check the pond across from the third lot for shorebirds and waders.
- Manatee County Audubon offers monthly birding tours from fall through spring.
Accessibility
A paved trail runs along the road through the whole preserve, and there are boardwalks and restrooms. Other trails are unpaved shell or sand.
FAQ
Is Emerson Point Preserve free?
Yes, there is no admission fee.
How tall is the Emerson Point observation tower?
Manatee County Audubon lists it at 60 feet, with views of Tampa Bay, Terra Ceia Bay, and the Manatee River.
Where is the bird blind at Emerson Point?
At "Magic Pond," which gives close looks at wading birds and ducks.
What are the hours?
Sunrise to sunset every day.
Sources
Checked 2026-10-29. Hours, fees, and closures change, so confirm with the managing agency before you go.