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All the United States North Carolina Manteo William B. Umstead Bridge

William B. Umstead Bridge

So many migrating birds roost on the bridge, it has a special summer speed limit.

Manteo, North Carolina

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Cara Giaimo
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Purple martins fly back to the William B. Umstead bridge at dusk.   Robert Tenbusch/Coastal Carolina Purple Martin Society/used with permission
Trucks and purple martins, sharing a commute.   Coastal Carolina Purple Martin Society/used with permission
BeBops Memorial Pier, a good place for purple martin watching.   Cyndy Holda/Coastal Carolina Purple Martin Society/used with permission
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In fall, winter, and spring, people driving over the William B. Umstead Bridge (locally referred to as the Old Manns Harbor Bridge) in North Carolina's Outer Banks can cruise at a steady 55 miles per hour. In summer, though, they have to slow down and share the road.

Starting in July, tens of thousands of purple martins—large, agile swallows with throaty calls—fly from as far as 150 miles away to roost in the bridge. By mid-August, they've left again to head to their winter grounds in Brazil.

While the birds are there, the rules change. For set periods at dawn and dusk, the speed limit drops to 20 miles per hour. Special signs installed by the North Carolina Department of Transportation alert drivers to the change, and to its cause: "LOW FLYING BIRDS."

Since these traffic changes were made in 2007, the bird death toll has dropped considerably, and humans are safer too. Drivers motoring respectfully along can watch as huge flocks of martins leave for the morning or come home at night. 

If you'd rather watch the birds while standing still, the Coastal Carolina Purple Martin Society has installed an observation deck, the BeBops Memorial Pier, which juts into the sound from the west end of the bridge. There's also a local cruise company, Crystal Dawn, that runs bird-focused tours.

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Birds Bridges Animals

Know Before You Go

The bridge is also known as the Old Manns Harbor Bridge. Purple martins tend to be there from early July to mid-August.

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Added By

Cara Giaimo

Published

July 13, 2018

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Sources
  • https://www.purplemartinroost.com/
  • https://www.thecoastlandtimes.com/2018/07/09/purple-martins-return-bridge-speed-limit-drops/
  • https://crystaldawnheadboat.com/
William B. Umstead Bridge
William B. Umstead Bridge
Manteo, North Carolina
United States
35.92239, -75.738511
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Freedmen's Colony of Roanoke Island

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