Leffis Key Preserve

We went to the Leffis Key Preserve two mornings in a row, hoping to catch sight of impressive birds. The first morning, we didn’t get there until 8:30 — 9:00am. There was only one other car in the gravel parking lot. The pathway is either dirt/​gravel or pretty well-​maintained boardwalk. We had no problem with our cheap umbrella stroller on the surfaces. At the boardwalk lookout that was the closest to the water and the farthest from the parking lot, we got a great view of an island across the way with Roseate Spoonbills. Closer to us were plenty of white pelicans and ibis. On the paths we saw a Tennesse Warbler, a cardinal, and a gorgeous mourning dove at very close distance. There’s even a little hill with a couple of lookouts — probably the highest natural point on the island — but we didn’t get up there until the sun was so high that much of the bird activity had died down.
The next day we got there earlier, but the cold wind was really blowing in, so we only saw a Great Blue Heron, a Great Egret, and a Prairie Warbler. All were very close.
It’s a nice little nature walk, with well-​maintained boardwalks. There are wood benches every few hundred yards so that you can rest and watch. There are some signs describing the terrain/​ecosystem, but they’re very basic. There’s only one trash can, no restrooms, no water fountain, but you can find those across the street at Coquina Beach.

This small preserve is a former spoil island on the bay side of Anna Maria Island that’s been planted with native species. It’s surrounded by mangroves, but has a tall hill in the center that gives great views of the surrounding area. There’s a short series of nature trails with interpretive signs, and a boardwalk with platforms that let you view Sarasota Bay.
No restrooms or water, but it looked like there were facilities at the beach park across the highway. No pets allowed. Google Maps probably won’t give the right directions– it’s on the small round peninsula that sticks off the island about a mile south of Cortez Ave & just north of the Longboat Key channel.
A cute little park for a short walk and a look at plants and birds.