Description

Elevation: 1003 ft.

The Adams Tract in Fairystone Farms Wildlife Management Area hosts a wide diversity of habitats including a 55-acre strip-cropped bottom with Gobblintown Creek running through the area. This area has 8 acres of seasonally flooded waterfowl impoundments surrounded by oak and pine forest with marked nature trails. This unique area offers a wide variety of waterfowl, songbirds, and wildlife throughout the year.

Union Church Bridge crosses the northern end of Philpott Lake where pristine water unites with steep rocky banks. The forest in this area is primarily white pine with a variety of oaks and maples. This area should be checked in the winter for waterfowl and during migration for waterfowl, shorebirds, cormorants, gulls, and terns. The bridge supports nesting barn swallow and cliff swallow.

Ryan’s Branch opens from a small inlet of Philpott Lake just east of the bridge and provides a flat water area for padding, canoeing, or kayaking. The associated park, Ryan’s Branch Recreation Area, boasts lake access, a boat ramp, and a parking area just north of the bridge.

Notes:

• To Access the Site: A Restore the Wild Membership, Virginia hunting license, freshwater fishing license, boat registration, or an access permit is required.
• Hunting could be occurring at this site April 1 – May 31 and September 1 – February 28th, except on Sundays. If you are visiting this site during hunting seasons, please wear blaze orange or blaze pink for safety.

Directions

Location of Union Bridge: SR 623 north of Fairy Stone State Park, Stuart, VA 24171

From the previous site on the Fairy Stone Loop of the VBWT:

From Fairy Stone State Park, take SR 623 north for 0.1 miles and turn left at the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries sign to the entrance to the Adams Tract before continuing on for 5.0 miles to Union Church Bridge.