CANCELLED - Sumter NF Long Cane District (Edgefield, SC)
2025-05-10 09:00 - 2025-05-11 16:00 (America/New_York) | Lick Fork Creek Parking Lot, 33.7298, -82.0407
CANCELLED – Due to the forecast for rainy and overcast weather all weekend, this trip has been “officially” CANCELLED.
The Carolina Butterfly Society will hold butterfly walks on Saturday and Sunday, May 10 and 11, 2025, at the 123,360-acre Long Cane District of the Sumter National Forest in the Lick Fork Lake and Stevens Creek Heritage Preserve areas. Our target species are Tawny-edged Skipper and Twin-spotted Skipper, as well as other early-season butterflies. Prunella vulgaris should be blooming.
On Saturday, meet at the Lick Fork Creek parking lot on Lick Fork Creek Road, GPS coordinates 33.7298, -82.0407. There is a $3 per day self-pay parking fee for the area but this is only if you leave your car. We do not plan to start here so do not pay the fee. The fee is waived if you have the Federal “America the Beautiful” Pass as that covers Federal Recreation Areas as well as National Parks. The Sunday meeting location will be determined after the Saturday walk.
DIRECTIONS:

From I-20 get off at Exit 1 to Martintown Road (SC-230) and head north until you see the sign to turn right for Lick Fork Creek Recreation Area. If you get to the SC 23 intersection with SC 230 you have gone just a tad too far (less than 0.5 miles).
If you are coming up SC 125 from the south, take it to Martintown Road (SC-230) and head north. You will go over I-20 and then follow the directions above.
From the square in downtown Edgefield, travel south on Hwy-23 for 8.3 miles. Bear left onto Hwy-230 and travel for 0.4 miles. Turn left onto Lick Fork Lake Road (S 19-263) and travel 1.9 miles. The entrance is on the right.

There are bathrooms near the meeting area. There is no cell service in the areas we will be exploring. John Demko will lead. Either register on the CBS website (using the “Register” link above) or RSVP to John at the email address below if you plan to participate. Please bring water, lunch, binoculars, cameras and field guides. Sunscreen, bug spray, long pants and close-toed shoes are highly recommended.

Carolina Sandhills NWR (Hairstreaks - near McBee, SC)
2025-05-31 10:00 - 15:00 | Carolina Sandhills NWR, 23734 US-1, McBee, SC, 29101, United States
The Carolina Butterfly Society Midlands Chapter will hold a butterfly walk on Saturday, May 31, 2025, at the 47,850-acre Carolina Sandhills NWR (National Wildlife Refuge) in Chesterfield County, South Carolina. Our target species will be all the Hairstreaks, including Banded, Coral and King’s, but we will also be looking for other late spring butterflies as well.
Please meet in the parking lot at the visitor center of Carolina Sandhills NWR. The main entrance is on US Highway 1, about 4 miles northeast of McBee, SC. The address is 23734 U.S. Highway 1, McBee, SC 29101, and the GPS coordinates are 34.5026, -80.2237.
There are restroom facilities at Lake Bee, but we will not be near there until later in the day. There are also gas stations in McBee. We will drive to different sections of the NWR and stop to look for butterflies. Walking will be minimal and should be easy, but some fields may be overgrown. Dave and Marty Kastner will lead. Either register on the CBS website (using the “Register” link above) or RSVP to Marty at the email address below if you plan to participate. Please bring water, lunch, binoculars, cameras and field guides. Sunscreen, bug spray, long pants and close-toed shoes are highly recommended.

Gum Swamp Road (Jackson, SC)
2025-08-09 09:00 - 15:00 | Kathwood Lakes (meeting location for Gum Swamp Road), 33.33728. -81.84345
The Carolina Butterfly Society Midlands Chapter will hold a butterfly walk on Saturday, August 9, 2025, to areas near Aiken, South Carolina. We will drive along Gum Swamp Road and stop at various locations along the road to explore areas of interest (or wherever we see butterflies). Our target species are the Texan Crescent, Tawny Emperor, and Hackberry Emperor, but we will also be looking for other summer butterflies as well.
We will meet at the Kathwood Lakes parking area (GPS coordinates 33.3373, -81.8435) of the Silver Bluff Audubon Center and Sanctuary. We will leave some cars at this location and consolidate the number of vehicles. Kathwood Lakes is located on Silver Bluff Road just before the paved road turns to dirt and approximately 200 yards after crossing the railroad tracks coming south. Kathwood Lakes is the name Google Maps uses for the bodies of water at this location.
If you are coming from the north, Beech Island is the nearest place with bathrooms, places to eat and gas stations. If coming from the south, Jackson is the nearest place for these items. If coming from the east down Silver Bluff Road, (SC 302), Aiken will be the last town on your way. Jackson will be to your south on SC 125 if you need to stop just prior to the meeting spot.
No restrooms are available along Gum Swamp Road. John Demko will lead. Either register on the CBS website (using the “Register” link above) or RSVP to John at the email address below if you plan to participate. Please bring water, lunch, binoculars, cameras and field guides. Sunscreen, bug spray, long pants and close-toed shoes are highly recommended.

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SI Group Hundred Acre Woods (Goatweed Leafwing - Orangeburg, SC)
2025-10-04 10:00 - 15:00 | SI Group, 725 Cannon Bridge Road, Orangeburg, SC, 29115, United States
The Carolina Butterfly Society Midlands Chapter will hold a butterfly walk on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at the SI Group Hundred Acre Woods in Orangeburg, South Carolina. Our target species will be the Goatweed Leafwing (we believe there is an existing, ongoing colony), but we will also be looking other fall butterflies. The walk will be on flat ground, but some field areas may be overgrown. There will be a short drive on an unpaved road to get to our staging point, and, after parking, we will walk around the property.
We will meet at the access road to the Hundred Acre Woods. The address is 725 Cannon Bridge Road, Orangeburg, SC 29115 (GPS coordinates 33.4651, -80.8841). Traveling south on Cannon Bridge Road from Highway 301, go past the railroad crossing and come in the third entrance on the left just after the main parking lot area for the SI Group and just before the fenced-in electrical substation enclosure. After turning in, look to your right and follow the short dirt road, on the east side of the electrical substation enclosure, towards the tree line where we will meet and line up our cars. After everyone has arrived, a safety officer from the SI Group will lead the caravan of cars back to the Hundred Acre Woods parking area.
There may be a porta potty on site. Restaurants and gas stations are nearby. Diane Curlee will lead. Either register on the CBS website (using the “Register” link above) or RSVP to Diane at the email address below if you plan to participate. Please bring water, lunch, binoculars, cameras and field guides. Sunscreen, bug spray, long pants and close-toed shoes are highly recommended.

RESCHEDULED - Wateree River HP & WMA (Southern Dogface - Eastover, SC)
2025-10-18 10:00 - 16:00 | Wateree River HP & WMA, 15001 Goodwill Road, Eastover, SC, 29044, United States
THIS WALK HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED – Due to the weather forecast for rain, wind, low temperatures and no sun on October 11, this walk has been moved back 1 week to October 18.
The Carolina Butterfly Society Midlands Chapter will hold a butterfly walk on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at the 3,674-acre Wateree River Heritage Preserve and Wildlife Management Area. Our target species is Southern Dogface, but we will also be looking for other late-season butterflies as well. We will drive to various areas, walk some of the trails and quite possibly “bushwhack” through fields following the elusive Southern Dogface. Some areas may be a little overgrown, but the walking is mostly on level ground and easy.
Meet at the first kiosk that is located on the right, about 0.45 miles along Goodwill Road after entering the property. GPS coordinates for the kiosk are 33.9495, -80.6530. The HP / WMA entrance is located at 15001 Goodwill Road, Eastover, SC 29044 (GPS coordinates 33.9435, -80.6555) on the north side of Garners Ferry Road, US Highway 378, just across from Goodwill Baptist Church.
No restrooms are available on the property. Dave and Marty Kastner will lead. Either register on the CBS website (using the “Register” link above) or RSVP to Marty at the email address below if you plan to participate. Please bring water, lunch, binoculars, cameras and field guides. Sunscreen, bug spray, long pants and close-toed shoes are highly recommended.
See the website link below for hiking trails and other information about the Wateree River Heritage Preserve and Wildlife Management Area.

Peachtree Rock (Brown Elfin - Lexington Co., SC)
2026-03-14 10:00 - 15:00 | Peachtree Rock HP (back entrance), 33.8334, -81.2012
Date: Saturday, March 14, 2026
Location: Peachtree Rock Heritage Preserve, Lexington Co., SC

Meeting Time: 10:00 am – to 3:00 pm
Meeting Spot: Meet in the parking area next to Bethel United Methodist Church. The church address is 811 Peachtree Rock Road, Lexington, SC, 29073. The GPS coordinates are: 33.8334, -81.2012.

Description: Peachtree Rock is a 460-acre Heritage Preserve in Lexington County, South Carolina. We will look for the colony of Brown Elfin and other early-season butterflies.
Target Species: Brown Elfin
Notes: There are no facilities at this site, but gas stations are nearby. Walk difficulty is easy to moderate. Please bring water, lunch, binoculars, cameras and field guides. Sunscreen, bug spray, long pants and close-toed shoes are highly recommended.
Trip Leader: John Demko
Lodging & Dining Recommendations: N/A
Sign-up: Please contact John Demko at leveljohn7@gmail.com if you are planning to attend. You can also register by using the “Register” link above.

Wateree River HP & WMA (Falcate Orangetip – Eastover, SC)
2026-03-21 10:00 - 15:00 | Wateree River HP & WMA, 15001 Goodwill Road, Eastover, SC, 29044, United States
Date: Saturday, March 21, 2026
Location: Wateree River Heritage Preserve and Wildlife Management Area

Meeting Time: 10:00 am – to 3:00 pm
Meeting Spot: Meet at the first kiosk that is located on the right, about 0.45 miles along Goodwill Road after entering the property. GPS coordinates for the kiosk are 33.9495, -80.6530. The HP / WMA entrance is located at 15001 Goodwill Road, Eastover, SC 29044 (GPS coordinates 33.9435, -80.6555) on the north side of Garners Ferry Road, US Highway 378, just across from Goodwill Baptist Church.

Description: Wateree River HP & WMA is a 3,674-acre tract that was set aside as a mitigation site for the Haile Gold Mine in Kershaw County and is comprised of the old Cook’s Mountain and Goodwill Plantation tracts. We will drive to various areas, walk some of the trails and quite possibly “bushwhack” through fields to look for early-season butterflies. Some areas may be a little overgrown, but the walking is mostly on level ground and easy.
Target Species: Falcate Orangetip, Henry’s Elfin, Southern Dogface
Notes: There are no facilities at this site but there is a gas station nearby. Walk difficulty is easy. Please bring water, lunch, binoculars, cameras and field guides. Sunscreen, bug spray, long pants and close-toed shoes are highly recommended. See the website link below for hiking trails and other information about the Wateree River Heritage Preserve and Wildlife Management Area.
Trip Leader: Alison Smith
Lodging & Dining Recommendations: N/A
Sign-up: Please contact Alison Smith at sweetgrassess@gmail.com if you are planning to attend. You can also register by using the “Register” link above.

Wateree River HP & WMA (Columbia City Nature Challenge - Eastover, SC)
2026-04-26 10:00 - 15:00 | Wateree River HP & WMA, 15001 Goodwill Road, Eastover, SC, 29044, United States
Date: Sunday, April 26, 2026
Location: Wateree River Heritage Preserve and Wildlife Management Area

Meeting Time: 10:00 am – to 3:00 pm
Meeting Spot: Meet at the first kiosk that is located on the right, about 0.45 miles along Goodwill Road after entering the property. GPS coordinates for the kiosk are 33.9495, -80.6530. The HP / WMA entrance is located at 15001 Goodwill Road, Eastover, SC 29044 (GPS coordinates 33.9435, -80.6555) on the north side of Garners Ferry Road, US Highway 378, just across from Goodwill Baptist Church.

Description: This walk is part of the Columbia City Nature Challenge, which is part of City Nature Challenge, an international four-day competition where cities across the globe compete to record the biodiversity of their urban and surrounding areas. We will focus on butterflies, but all nature entries on iNaturalist will count. Wateree River HP & WMA is a 3,674-acre tract that was set aside as a mitigation site for the Haile Gold Mine in Kershaw County and is comprised of the old Cook’s Mountain and Goodwill Plantation tracts. We will drive to various areas, walk some of the trails and quite possibly “bushwhack” through fields to look for butterflies. Some areas may be a little overgrown, but the walking is mostly on level ground and easy.
Target Species: All butterflies (but will also report other nature observations on iNaturalist)
Notes: There are no facilities at this site but there is a gas station nearby. Walk difficulty is easy. Please bring water, lunch, binoculars, cameras and field guides. Sunscreen, bug spray, long pants and close-toed shoes are highly recommended. See the website link below for hiking trails and other information about the Wateree River Heritage Preserve and Wildlife Management Area.
Trip Leaders: Dave and Marty Kastner
Lodging & Dining Recommendations: N/A
Sign-up: Please contact Dave and Marty Kastner at kastners@aol.com if you are planning to attend. You can also register by using the “Register” link above.

Sumter NF Long Cane District (Edgefield, SC)
2026-05-08 10:00 - 16:00 | Lick Fork Creek Parking Lot, 33.7298, -82.0407
Date: Friday, May 8, 2026
Location: Long Cane District of Sumter National Forest, Edgefield, SC

Meeting Time: 10:00 am – to 4:00 pm
Meeting Spot: Meet at the Lick Fork Creek parking lot on Lick Fork Creek Road. The GPS coordinates are: 33.7298, -82.0407.

Description: The Long Cane District of the Sumter National Forest in the Lick Fork Lake and Stevens Creek Heritage Preserve areas is a 123,360-acre tract. Prunella vulgaris should be blooming for this walk. We will drive to various locations and explore those areas for early-season butterflies.
Target Species: Tawny-edged Skipper, Twin-spot Skipper
Notes: There is a $3 per day self-pay parking fee for the area but this is only if you leave your car. We do not plan to stay here so do not pay the fee. The fee is waived if you have the Federal “America the Beautiful” Pass as that covers Federal Recreation Areas as well as National Parks. There are bathrooms near the meeting area. There is no cell service in the areas we will be exploring. Walk difficulty is easy. Please bring water, lunch, binoculars, cameras and field guides. Sunscreen, bug spray, long pants and close-toed shoes are highly recommended.
Trip Leader: John Demko
Lodging & Dining Recommendations: N/A
Sign-up: Please contact John Demko at leveljohn7@gmail.com if you are planning to attend. You can also register by using the “Register” link above.
Directions:

From I-20 get off at Exit 1 to Martintown Road (SC-230) and head north until you see the sign to turn right for Lick Fork Creek Recreation Area. If you get to the SC 23 intersection with SC 230 you have gone just a tad too far (less than 0.5 miles).
If you are coming up SC 125 from the south, take it to Martintown Road (SC-230) and head north. You will go over I-20 and then follow the directions above.
From the square in downtown Edgefield, travel south on Hwy-23 for 8.3 miles. Bear left onto Hwy-230 and travel for 0.4 miles. Turn left onto Lick Fork Lake Road (S 19-263) and travel 1.9 miles. The entrance is on the right.

Gum Swamp Road (Jackson, SC)
2026-08-08 09:00 - 15:00 | Kathwood Lakes (meeting location for Gum Swamp Road), 33.33728. -81.84345
Date: Saturday, August 8, 2026
Location: Gum Swamp Road, Aiken Co., Jackson, SC

Meeting Time: 9:00 am – to 3:00 pm
Meeting Spot: We will meet at the Kathwood Lakes parking area (GPS coordinates 33.3373, -81.8435) of the Silver Bluff Audubon Center and Sanctuary. We will leave some cars at this location and consolidate the number of vehicles. Kathwood Lakes is located on Silver Bluff Road just before the paved road turns to dirt and approximately 200 yards after crossing the railroad tracks coming south. Kathwood Lakes is the name Google Maps uses for the bodies of water at this location.

Description: We will drive along Gum Swamp Road and stop at various locations along the road to explore areas of interest (or wherever we see butterflies).
Target Species: Seminole Crescent, Silvery Checkerspot, Zebra Swallowtail, Lace-winged Roadside-Skipper, Tawny Emperor, and Hackberry Emperor
Notes: No restrooms are available along Gum Swamp Road. If you are coming from the north, Beech Island is the nearest place with bathrooms, places to eat and gas stations. If coming from the south, Jackson is the nearest place for these items. If coming from the east down Silver Bluff Road, (SC 302), Aiken will be the last town on your way. Jackson will be to your south on SC 125 if you need to stop just prior to the meeting spot. Please bring water, lunch, binoculars, cameras and field guides. Sunscreen, bug spray, long pants and close-toed shoes are highly recommended.
Trip Leader: John Demko
Lodging & Dining Recommendations: N/A
Sign-up: Please contact John Demko at leveljohn7@gmail.com if you are planning to attend. You can also register by using the “Register” link above.
Directions: N/A

Bio Way Farm (Ware Shoals, SC)
2026-09-26 10:30 - 15:00 | Bio Way Farm, 197 Bio Way, Ware Shoals, SC, 29692, United States
Date: Saturday, September 26, 2026
Location: Bio Way Farm, Ware Shoals, SC

Meeting Time: 10:30 am – to 3:00 pm
Meeting Spot: The address is 197 Bio Way, Ware Shoals, SC 29692 (or GPS coordinates 34.4700, -82.2583). The GPS coordinates for the driveway entrance on Bio Way are 34.4703, -82.2587.

Description: This will be a joint outing with SCAN, the South Carolina Association of Naturalists. We will walk the roads and trails of a 120-acre organic farm that is managed for ecological restoration and biodiversity. There is a mix of upland meadows and forest habitat as well as a 5-acre lake and riparian zones to explore. Additional information about Bio Way Farm can be found on the web using the link below.
Target Species: All fall butterflies – Over 30 species have been identified at Bio Way Farm with many more possibilities to be discovered. Laurens County is an under sampled area of South Carolina so, perhaps we can fill in some of the species “holes” on the range maps.
Notes: There is a restroom and drinking water at our meeting location. Gas and food are nearby. Wearing sturdy walking or hiking shoes is recommended along with long sleeves and long pants as we may go off trail in some locations to look for as many butterfly species as possible. It is also recommended you use a good bug spray, wear sunscreen, and carry water with you. Be sure to bring those other items you may need (camera, binoculars, field guides, etc.).
Trip Leader: Chris Sermons
Lodging & Dining Recommendations: There are many accommodation options in the Greenville, SC area. Bio Way Farm in Laurens County is about 45 to 50 minutes to the south of central Greenville.
Sign-up: Please contact Chris Sermons at biowayfarm@gmail.com if you are planning to attend. You can also register by using the “Register” link above.
Directions: N/A

SI Group Hundred Acre Woods (Goatweed Leafwing – Orangeburg, SC)
2026-10-03 10:00 - 15:00 | SI Group, 725 Cannon Bridge Road, Orangeburg, SC, 29115, United States
Date: Saturday, October 3, 2026
Location: SI Group Hundred Acre Woods, Orangeburg, SC

Meeting Time: 10:00 am – to 3:00 pm
Meeting Spot: We will meet at the access road to the Hundred Acre Woods. The address is 725 Cannon Bridge Road, Orangeburg, SC 29115 (GPS coordinates 33.4651, -80.8841). See Directions below for additional information.

Description: The walk will be on flat ground, but some field areas may be overgrown. There will be a short drive on an unpaved road to get to our staging point. After parking, we will walk around the property to look for our target species, the Goatweed Leafwing (there has been an existing, ongoing colony in the past), but we will also be looking other fall butterflies.
Target Species: Goatweed Leafwing
Notes: There will be a porta potty on site. Please bring water, lunch, binoculars, cameras and field guides. Sunscreen, bug spray, long pants and close-toed shoes are highly recommended.
Trip Leader: Diane Curlee
Lodging & Dining Recommendations: Restaurants and gas stations are nearby.
Sign-up: Please contact Diane Curlee at dianecurlee8@gmail.com if you are planning to attend. You can also register by using the “Register” link above.
Directions: Traveling south on Cannon Bridge Road from Highway 301, go past the railroad crossing and come in the third entrance on the left just after the main parking lot area for the SI Group and just before the fenced-in electrical substation enclosure. After turning in, look to your right and follow the short dirt road, on the east side of the electrical substation enclosure, towards the tree line where we will meet and line up our cars. After everyone has arrived, a safety officer from the SI Group will lead the caravan of cars back to the Hundred Acre Woods parking area.

Wateree River HP & WMA (Southern Dogface – Eastover, SC)
2026-10-10 10:00 - 16:00 | Wateree River HP & WMA, 15001 Goodwill Road, Eastover, SC, 29044, United States
Date: Saturday, October 10, 2026
Location: Wateree River Heritage Preserve and Wildlife Management Area

Meeting Time: 10:00 am – to 4:00 pm
Meeting Spot: Meet at the first kiosk that is located on the right, about 0.45 miles along Goodwill Road after entering the property. GPS coordinates for the kiosk are 33.9495, -80.6530. The HP / WMA entrance is located at 15001 Goodwill Road, Eastover, SC 29044 (GPS coordinates 33.9435, -80.6555) on the north side of Garners Ferry Road, US Highway 378, just across from Goodwill Baptist Church.

Description: Wateree River HP & WMA is a 3,674-acre tract that was set aside as a mitigation site for the Haile Gold Mine in Kershaw County and is comprised of the old Cook’s Mountain and Goodwill Plantation tracts. We will drive to various areas, walk some of the trails and quite possibly “bushwhack” through fields to look for late-season butterflies. Some areas may be a little overgrown, but the walking is mostly on level ground and easy.
Target Species: Southern Dogface, other fall butterflies
Notes: There are no facilities at this site but there is a gas station nearby. Walk difficulty is easy. Please bring water, lunch, binoculars, cameras and field guides. Sunscreen, bug spray, long pants and close-toed shoes are highly recommended. See the website link below for hiking trails and other information about the Wateree River Heritage Preserve and Wildlife Management Area.
Trip Leaders: Marty & Dave Kastner
Lodging & Dining Recommendations: N/A
Sign-up: Please contact Marty and Dave Kastner at kastners@aol.com if you are planning to attend. You can also register by using the “Register” link above.
Directions: N/A

Santee NWR Bluff Unit (Summerton, SC)
2026-10-17 10:00 - 16:00 | Santee NWR Visitor Center, 2125 Fort Watson Road, Summerton, SC, 29148, United States
Date: Saturday, October 17, 2026
Location: Santee National Wildlife Refuge, Bluff Unit, Summerton, SC

Meeting Time: 10:00 am – to 4:00 pm
Meeting Spot: Meet at the visitor center at 2125 Fort Watson Rd, Summerton, SC 29148. GPS Coordinates are 33.5326, -80.4317.

Description: We will explore the pollinator garden at the visitor center and then drive the short distance to the Bluff Unit where we will park and walk the access road towards the Bluff Unit open fields. Blue Mist Flower should be blooming and is a great nectar source for butterflies. Santee NWR was established to benefit migratory waterfowl, other birds, and terrestrial and aquatic wildlife found within the ecosystem of the Lake Marion reservoir.
Target Species: Seminole Crescent, Broad-winged Skipper
Notes: There are restrooms at the visitor center. Please bring water, lunch, binoculars, cameras and field guides. Sunscreen, bug spray, long pants and close-toed shoes are highly recommended.
Trip Leaders: Marty and Dave Kastner
Lodging & Dining Recommendations: N/A
Sign-up: Please contact Marty and Dave Kastner at kastners@aol.com if you are planning to attend. You can also register by using the “Register” link above.
Directions: N/A
