The Mason Creek Trail is boat-accessed at the public boat landing at the end of Mason Creek Road, Homosassa. The trail goes out Mason Creek and extends for up to five miles out to the Gulf.
The best birding starts from the boat landing and winds through the estuaries for about two miles to the upper part of the Chassahowitzka NWR. If one is looking for a peaceful, quiet birding opportunity, be sure to canoe/kayak this trail. There are no trail signs intentionally because this trail starts at the boat landing and goes through coastal sawgrass marsh, hardwood hammocks, over fresh water springs and follows a course out to the Gulf.
Allow two to three hours to enjoy this trail. The trail connects to the Nature Coast Canoe Trail and serves as one of the Canoe Trail put-ins and take-outs.
Access to the trail:Mason Creek Trail is only accessible at the end of Mason Creek Road in Old Homosassa. Take Yulee Drive (CR480) from US19 (at Kash & Karry) south of the Homosassa Springs State Wildlife Park. Follow Yulee Drive for about four miles to Mason Creek Road. (Firehouse on the right). Left turn on Mason Creek Road to the end of road. There is limited parking at the boat landing.
Hours of Operation:Dawn to Dusk. Early morning is best but birding can be done at any time.
Highlights:
This is one of the wilderness trails in the Citrus County section of the Great Florida Birding Trail. It is a trail to do very slowly to enjoy the beautiful wildness and solitude of this section of the Chassahowitzka NWR. Bring all your personal needs, insect repellent, sunscreen, water, etc.
Birding Opportunities:Mason Creek Trail allows one to see all the wading birds. Possible least bittern and clapper rails are common. The golden eagle has been seen soaring over the Refuge in winter. Bald eagles are common. Mason Creek Trail hooks up with the Nature Coast Canoe/Kayak Trail. (See Canoe /Kayak Trail for trail details.)
The Mason Creek trail does not have a year 2000 bird census because it was felt that the Chassahowitzka Trail and the Canoe Trail census covered this trail as well. This doesn't make this trail any less important or less desirable as a birding trail. Once one has birded this trail in a canoe or kayak, return trips will be frequent.
