Rockbridge County

Blue-winged Teal, © Rob Bielawski — **Blue-winged Teal**, © Rob Bielawski

Rockbridge County is located in the heart of western Virginia’s Great Appalachian Valley. It is bordered on the east by the Blue Ridge Mountains and on the west by the Alleghany Mountains, while to the north lies the southern end of the Shenandoah Valley. As a result, Rockbridge County is, in effect, the base of a funnel that directs and concentrates birds moving down the Shenandoah Valley, as well as a migration corridor for species moving along the Blue Ridge. These geological features give the county a diversity of habitats ranging from low elevations along the Maury River (the confluence of the Maury and James Rivers are at Glasgow with an elevation of 725 ft), to higher elevations of the Blue Ridge and the mountains surrounding Goshen Pass (Thunder Ridge in the Blue Ridge sits at about 4000 ft). Rockbridge encompasses 601 sq. miles with a population of approximately 22,500 people. The county is primarily composed of agricultural land and National Forests, mainly George Washington NF along the Blue Ridge and Jefferson NF along the western portions of the county. The rich history of the area that is now Rockbridge dates back well before the county’s formation in 1777. Rumor has it that George Washington surveyed part of the county and left his initials on Natural Bridge in 1750. In 1774, Thomas Jefferson purchased what is now Natural Bridge State Park and surveyed the area in 1802. While no Civil War battles were fought in the county, it played an indirect role as the birthplace of Confederate general Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson, an instructor at the Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, who served in the Confederate Army until his death in 1863. Following the Civil War, Robert E. Lee returned to Lexington to serve as the president of Washington College, later renamed Washington & Lee University. Lee is buried on the W&L campus, along with his horse “Traveler,” while Jackson is buried nearby in the Oak Grove Cemetery (formerly the Stonewall Jackson Memorial Cemetery).

As of 2019, there have been 273 species confirmed in Rockbridge County, and a birding trip here allows for a sampling of species in a number of different habitats and at a wide range of elevations. Along the eastern edge of the county, the Blue Ridge Parkway straddles the county line between Rockbridge, Augusta, and Nelson counties (mileposts 27 to 50, and at 74 where the BRP crosses a tip of the county). Regardless of which county, birding along the entire Blue Ridge Parkway is worthwhile. Numerous side roads and Forest Service roads intersect the Parkway and offer wonderful birding sites. Among the worthwhile birding spots along the Parkway are Yankee Horse Ridge (milepost 34) and Boston Knob Overlook (milepost 39), both excellent spots to see warblers. At Yankee Horse Ridge, breeding Blackburnian, Cerulean, Black-throated Blue, and Canada Warblers along with Scarlet Tanagers, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, Red-eyed and Blue-headed Vireos, and Dark-eyed Juncos can be found from late April through early June. Boston Knob pull off is an excellent place to find migrating warblers as well as American Redstarts, Hooded Warblers, and Yellow-throated and Red-eyed Vireos during breeding season.

In the western portion of the county, Goshen Pass and the surrounding mountains offer additional birding sites, with numerous trails and access to the Goshen Pass Wildlife Management Area. Ruffed Grouse can be found at higher elevations along Goshen Pass, and Red-eyed, Blue-headed, and Yellow-throated Vireos and breeding warblers such as Louisiana Waterthrush, Northern Parula, Black-throated Green, Pine, and Prairie can be found in the forests surrounding the Maury River in the pass. Scarlet Tanagers, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, and Common Ravens are also easily located in this area. Historically, Blue-winged and Golden-winged Warblers have been found just west of Goshen Pass, though there are no recent sightings.

The central portion of the county is primarily farmland and offers the opportunity to see open county birds. The northern portion of the county hosts two birding hotspots, Willow Lake and McCormick’s Farm, which are both conveniently located within one mile of exit 205 on I-81. Willow Lake is a small, man-made lake that is popular with fishermen and has a small housing development associated with it. From a birding perspective, it is remarkable for the species of swans, geese, and ducks that it attracts in the winter, many of which are difficult to find elsewhere in the region. The following species have been found at Willow Lake: Tundra and Mute Swans, Barnacle Goose (county record), Greater White-fronted Goose, Cackling Goose, Ross’s Goose, Snow Goose, Ruddy Duck, Lesser and Greater Scaup, Ring-necked Duck, American Wigeon, Northern Shoveler, Blue-winged and Green-winged Teal, White-winged Scoter, Surf Scoter (county record), and Long-tailed Duck (county records). McCormick’s Farm straddles the Rockbridge and Augusta county lines. There are two small ponds and a nature trail, along with historical buildings associated with Cyrus McCormick and his inventions. Warbling Vireos, Baltimore Orioles, White-eyed Vireos, Barn Swallows and Cliff Swallows can be found during breeding season.

In the southern portion of the county, Natural Bridge State Park, Locher Tract, and the confluence of the Maury and James Rivers are some of the prime birding spots. Natural Bridge State Park is famed for the namesake Natural Bridge, while the Lace Falls and Monocan Village are also popular attractions. Beyond these, the park also has a number of walking trails that are worth birding. Locher Tract is a Wildlife Management Area that has a short trail around a beaver pond, as well as the Balcony Downs trail through the National Forest, which begins here. Due to its proximity to the James River, Locher Tract is a good spot to locate migrating birds; Blue-winged Teal and Wood Ducks can be found there in the spring, and a Least Bittern has also been found here. Locher Tract is also good for wintering species including Winter Wrens, Swamp Sparrows, Hermit Thrushes, and Ruby-crowned Kinglets. For several years, it was one of the only places in the county where Red-headed Woodpeckers nested. The area around the confluence of the Maury and James Rivers is an excellent location to find Yellow-throated Warblers in the spring, and Cliff Swallows nest on the RT 130 bridge over the Maury River.

Rockbridge County also surrounds two independent cities, Lexington and Buena Vista. Both have worthwhile birding areas which are of interest to visiting birders. In particular, Glen Maury Park in Buenva Vista offers camping as well as excellent birding. During migration, the trees along the Maury River provide good viewing of warblers, and 129 species have been recorded here. For more information on birding opportunities in these cities, please visit the pages for Lexington and Buena Vista.

The 273 species that have been confirmed in the county include a number of unusual birds: Swallow-tailed Kite, Mississippi Kite, Ross’ Goose, Surf Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Red-throated Loon, Red-necked Grebe, Dickcissel, American Avocet, Short-billed Dowitcher, Red Phalarope, Red-necked Phalarope, Monk Parakeet, Willet, Sanderling, Sandhill Crane, nesting Peregrine Falcon, Short-eared Owl, Golden Eagle, Barnacle Goose, Marbled Godwit, and Clay-colored Sparrow.

—Dick Rowe

Hotspots

STAKEOUT HOTSPOTS

The following hotspots should only be used to input historical records pertaining to a specific staked out rarity, as indicated in the hotspots names.

stakeout Swallow-tailed Kite, River Road (2019)

Accessibility & Surroundings

Rockbridge County is serviced by several major roads. Interstate 64 runs east/west through the county and Interstate 81 runs north/south through the county. Other VA Routes include 11, 39, and 252. Rockbridge County is approximately one hour from Roanoke, Charlottesville, and Harrisonburg.

Amenities

As befits a county that is home to 22,500 people and traversed by major highways, Rockbridge is well-served by hotels, restaurants, gas stations, and convenience stores. Lexington is a popular destination due to the presence of both VMI and Washington & Lee University, as well as the Civil War heritage of the area. One interesting attraction in Lexington is Coco Mill Chocolates, which has an international reputation for producing fine chocolates. In addition, the Virginia Horse Center is located just outside of Lexington and is host to a variety of equestrian events. There are numerous hotels and restaurants in the Lexington area. Devils Backbone Brewing operates a spacious brewpub just north of Lexington that is a good destination for beer and eats. Beer lovers looking for a more scenic location (and the chance to bird while enjoying a brew) will find Great Valley Farm Brewery near Natural Bridge a worthwhile destination. Buena Vista is located about eight miles east of Lexington and is an official Appalachian Trail Town. BV (as the locals call it) has Southern Virginia University and Glen Maury Park, which hosts a renowned fiddlers and old time music festival each year. There are also a number of bed and breakfasts in the county. Natural Bridge State Park offers hotel accommodations and walking trails. The Virginia Safari Park (Fancy Hill exit on I-81) is a popular attraction for visitors to the county. The Appalachian Trail passes through Rockbridge County as it follows the Blue Ridge, and the Bike 76 cross-county bicycle route also passes through the county. Goshen Pass is a popular kayaking spot, and there are a number of outfitters providing canoes and rafts for leisurely trips down the Maury River.

Bird Clubs

The Rockbridge Bird Club is the main organization for local birders, and hosts regular meetings and field trips as well as maintaining a Google Group for sharing information about bird sightings in the county.

Christmas Bird Counts

The only Christmas Bird Count in the county is the Lexington Area CBC, which was begun in 1922 and has run continuously since 1937. The 2017 CBC marked the 81st consecutive count and the 92nd overall count. It is sponsored by Rockbridge Bird Club, and is compiled by Dick Rowe, who can be contacted at rowera@vmi.edu.