Dusk and dawn speed limits have been lowered on the William B. Umstead bridge in Manns Harbor while a large flock of purple martins roosts there during July and August
MANNS HARBOR – Purple martins are
literally flocking to Manns Harbor, and that means it’s time for dusk and dawn
drivers to slow down on the William B. Umstead Bridge, locally known as the Old
Manns Harbor Bridge.
From mid-July through August, the west end of the bridge on Croatan
Sound becomes home to more than 100,000 purple martins as they prepare for their
annual migration to Brazil. The birds roost under the bridge at night, departing
at dawn to feed and returning at sunset. The flock is so large during its peak
that it can be seen on radar.
Since 2007, The N.C. Department of Transportation has partnered
with the Coastal Carolina Purple Martin Society to educate the public about the
flock and protect both the birds and passing motorists. NCDOT activates flashing
lights and a 20-mile per hour speed limit at sunrise and sunset. The lower speed
limit is monitored by law enforcement and allows both motorists and birds safe
passage across the sound. Since the lights and speed limits were installed, the
Coastal Carolina Purple Martin Society has seen a dramatic decline in bird
deaths around the bridge.
As an alternate, motorists can use the Virginia Dare Memorial
Bridge. Those wishing to view the flock safely can do so at Dare County’s
multi-purpose pier at the west end of the bridge.