McKay Bay facts for kids
McKay Bay is a special part of Tampa Bay in Tampa, Florida. It's the northeastern corner of the larger Tampa Bay. This area is named after James McKay Sr..
The McKay Bay Greenway is a path that runs along the east side of McKay Bay. It connects to the Tampa Bypass Canal, which is a waterway. You can also find the McKay Bay Nature Park at 685 North 34th Street in Tampa. There's also a power plant nearby called the McKay Bay Resource Recovery Plant, which uses trash to create energy. Long ago, McKay Bay was actually made by people and was used to cool down a city incinerator.
About McKay Bay
McKay Bay is quite shallow and has not been deepened by dredging. It is surrounded by beautiful wetlands, including mangrove trees and salt marshes. When the tide is low, a lot of the bay floor becomes exposed. This makes it a perfect feeding spot for many different kinds of birds.
Home to Amazing Birds
McKay Bay is a fantastic place for birdwatching! Many migratory birds, shorebirds, and wading birds come here to find food. Some of the amazing birds you might see include:
- The American avocet
- The black-necked stilt
- The black skimmer
- White pelicans
- The Northern shoveler
- The canvasback
- The green wing teal
- The ruddy duck
- The glossy ibis
McKay Bay Nature Park
The McKay Bay Nature Park is a wonderful 38-acre park right on McKay Bay. It's part of a bigger area called the McKay Bay Park and Greenway, which is about 200 acres in total. This park is even a stop along the Great Florida Birding Trail, which is a special route for bird lovers!
At the park, you can explore a boardwalk trail that is about 0.17 miles long. It takes you through the mangroves and over the mudflats. There's also an observation tower where you can get a great view of the bay and learn more about the area. If you like to walk or bike, there's a paved multi-use trail that's 1.25 miles long, plus a shorter 0.5-mile nature trail. The park also has picnic tables and signs that teach you about the plants and animals living there.
See also
- Bahía de McKay para niños (McKay Bay for kids in Spanish)
