Tarpon Road
Sanibel

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The major feature of the Bailey Tract is a series of privately built impoundments and dikes built years ago to attract waterfowl, including ducks, grebes, coots and moorhens. It still does, but as part of the J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildife Refuge it also creates a perfect place for people to see them.

Bailey is about 100 acres, and offers a mix of four trails, ranging from short (0.35 mile) to intermediate (1.1 miles). The paths are wide and well marked, making for easy walking (or riding), and accomodate both modes of transportation without conflict. With a bit of ambition, a hiker could explore the entire network of trails in a couple of hours. It's important to note that the impoundments are freshwater rather than salt, which means a somewhat different mix of birds, animals and vegetation than is offered at the main portion of Ding Darling NWR — we spotted blue teals, mottled ducks, pied-bill grebes, coots and moorhens, whitemouthed day flowers, groundcherries, everglades morning glories, American bluehearts, native lantana and more.

Parking is ample, and unlike the main portion of the refuge, there is no entrance fee to explore the tract. As far as we can tell, Bailey doesn't have an address but it's easy to find from Sanibel's major road. It sits on Tarpon Road, a minute or two from its intersection with Periwinkle. The tract is on the right.