The traffic on University Road is nearly always very busy with vehicles often travelling at greater than the posted speed limit, so early morning or evening visits are best when the traffic may be somewhat lighter. Be sure to take care crossing the road and keep to the outside of the metal road barriers when scanning for birds. Following extended periods of lower water levels, the height of the cattails may make viewing from the roadside difficult, in which case scanning from the slightly elevated gravel parking space may be best.

The wetland supports a variety of marsh species including Virginia Rail, Sora, Common Gallinule, American Bittern, Least Bittern, Green Heron and Marsh Wren. During periods of high water, a variety of waterfowl species has been observed in the large pond to the west of the road; during periods of low water, particularly during the latter half of May and again in late August the exposed mud around this pond may support a variety of shorebirds. A Wilson’s Phalarope was present in late May 2013. A small Great Blue Heron nesting colony is located on the east side of the road and some of the large stick nests can be seen in the tops of standing dead trees. A pair of Great Horned Owl has used these nests periodically over the years.

The University Road Wetland straddles University Rd (CR 41) just north of the Warsaw Rd (CR 4). The wetland on both sides of the road is dominated by cattails and rimmed by willow-dogwood-alder thicket swamp. Water levels in the wetland are largely beaver-controlled and may fluctuate greatly from year to year. At the south edge of the wetland on the east side of University Rd opposite #138 there is a small gravel pull-off large enough to accommodate one or two vehicles.