After a great day birding in Loudoun Co, I stopped to count the Cliff Swallow
nests on the Hwy 7 bridges over the Shenandoah. There
were 55 total, of which 40 were Occupied.
After that, I went south to the Hwy 50 bridge. There, I found approx. 140
nests, but I only saw 10 or so with birds in them. I
assumed most birds were out hunting.
Of note, was the fact that at both bridge sites, most nests were only on the
Southern sides of the East-bound lane spans. At Hwy 7,
there were a few on the other sides, but at Hwy 50, ALL were only on the
described side, for whatever reason.
Of the many CLSW nest sites I've seen in the past, I don't recall seeing such a
distinct choice of sites based on direction -
apparently in relation to the sun? As most sites I'm familiar with were on low
bridges, maybe the height of the bridge over the
river makes a difference? I wish I knew.
As many of the nests appeared to be under construction, I assume many more are
yet to be built. Virtually ALL are attached to the
underside of the concrete - not to the metal. Although at both sites, the
highway crews have been doing some painting, the birds
don't seem to mind the disturbance.
In reverse of what we normally see, I guess the sign should read:
CAUTION: CONSTRUCTION UNDER BRIDGE
Jon Little
Winchester
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