Front Ridge Road is a quiet little-traveled byway that local birders have used for generations. It offers some excellent roadside birding and opportunities to observe butterflies and dragonflies along with the birds during spring and fall migration seasons, as well as in winter.
The four-mile-long paved road is relatively narrow but largely non-trafficked. The landscape offers grand views of freshwater and intermediate marshes, along with lots of open estuarine ponds/lakes. Waterbirds are plentiful year-round, especially during fall, winter, and spring. Expect to encounter numerous waterfowl species, including Snow Goose, Northern Pintail, Gadwall, Blue-winged and Green-winged Teal, among others. Over 20 shorebird species, 10 species of gulls and terns, and 17 species of wading birds have been recorded here. Other waterbirds of interest include King, Clapper, Virginia, and Sora Rails, Common and Purple Gallinules, Common Loon, Anhinga, and both American White and Brown Pelicans.
Several thick black willow stands and lots of grassy shrub-scrub patches hold species such as White-eyed Vireo, House, Sedge, and Marsh Wrens, Gray Catbird, Brown Thrasher, Field, White-crowned, White-throated, Savannah, Lincoln's, and Swamp Sparrows, Common Yellowthroat, Palm Warbler, and other skulkers.
Several large cell towers and utility lines hold open-perch species such as hawks, falcons, vultures, flycatchers, Loggerhead Shrike, Eastern Bluebird, and at least six recorded species of swallows.
Trees are not plentiful along this drive, but some coastal species are dotted in. Try to take careful looks at these, especially during migration seasons when they hold flycatchers, vireos, thrushes, warblers, orioles, tanagers, and other species. Just over 200 bird species have been recorded from this road.
Note that the property along the road is private. There are no amenities and no pull-offs. Viewing is strictly from roadside shoulders.
