Bottoms Road Boat Ramp

Bottoms Road extends out through salt marsh to a county-owned boat launch on the Gulf. Along the way, watch and listen for Clapper Rails, Virginia Rails (winter) and wading birds in the marsh. In summer, Roseate Spoonbills are recorded annually but are only present when the tide is low. During the spring and summer look for singing Seaside Sparrows and Marsh Wrens; the latter are quite common and great views can be had early in the morning as they start to move around. In winter, Nelson’s Sparrows are present but they can be elusive. From the shoulder along the road, scope the offshore sandbars for loafing Caspian Terns, Bonaparte’s Gulls (winter). Whimbrel and American Oystercatcher. In winter, look for Northern Harriers cruising over the marsh. The public boat ramp at the end of bottoms road provides vantage of Levy and Dickerson Bay. Common Loons, Horned Grebes, Bufflehead and Red-breasted Mergansers are a common sight in winter. Rarities such as White-winged Scoter and Long-tailed Duck have been recorded.