This interesting little spot has become an eBird hotspot due to a small colony of Cliff Swallows that nest under the bridge. The bridge crosses Goose Creek, the largest flowing river in the northern reaches of Fauquier County. The Cliff Swallows show up around late April and can be found throughout summer. When standing on the bridge, the vantage point offers an atypical view of Cliff Swallows, as they often fly straight at you as they head to their nests. Please see the note below about birding from the bridge itself.
Aside from the Cliff Swallows, Warbling Vireo is a regular breeder here, and their melodic song can be heard throughout the nesting season. Other summer residents are Yellow Warbler, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, both Orchard and Baltimore Orioles, Belted Kingfisher, and Yellow-billed Cuckoo is almost certain to be heard. Louisiana Waterthrush can sometimes be heard calling downstream. During migration, Spotted Sandpipers are often seen on the sandbar in the middle of Goose Creek.
There is no public access to the underside of the bridge as the land is all privately owned. Caution needs to be taken by any observer birding this spot, as there is just enough traffic that constant vigilance is a must. There is a pull-off on the southeast side of the bridge (on the north side of the road) for a single car. On the northwestern side of the bridge there is barely enough shoulder to park a car safely. The bridge itself has enough room for a pedestrian to get off the roadway to scan the creek below, but again, keeping a watchful eye on traffic is a must. Fortunately the cars can be heard from some distance as they approach.
This site is rarely visited in fall, winter, and early spring.
eBird Hotspot: Rectortown Road Bridge over Goose Creek
—Todd Michael Day