CANCELLED - Sumter National Forest, Enoree District
2020-05-09 10:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | Sumter National Forest, Enoree District – Piggly Wiggly, 26490 SC-121, Whitmire, SC, 29178, United States
CANCELLED
Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and out of an abundance of caution, this walk has been CANCELLED. We will explore areas of the Sumter National Forest. Meet in the parking lot of the Piggly Wiggly in Whitmire. The address is 26490 SC-121, Whitmire, SC 29170. GPS is 34.507138, -81.601602. Dennis Forsythe will be our leader. dennis.forsythe@gmail.com

CANCELLED - Carolina Sandhills NWR, Cheraw SP and Horseshoe Mountain
2020-04-04 10:00 - 16:00 | Carolina Sandhills NWR, 23734 US-1, McBee, SC, 29101, United States
CANCELLED
Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and out of an abundance of caution, this walk has been CANCELLED. A group use permit is required for us to visit the Carolina Sandhills NWR and, based on Governor McMaster’s state of emergency proclamation, said permit has been withheld by the issuing authority.
All of these locations are in Chesterfield County. We will go to as many of these areas as we have time for. Our target species are all elfins and Hessel’s Hairstreak. The leader for this trip is still to be determined. More information will be provided as details become available.

SI Group
2019-09-28 10:30 - 16:00 | SI Group, 725 Cannon Bridge Road, Orangeburg, SC, 29115, United States
This is a joint trip with SCAN (South Carolina Association of Naturalists). The address is 725 Cannon Bridge Road, Orangeburg, SC 29115. Come in the second entrance after crossing the railroad tracks coming from Hwy. 301. Look to your right and go towards the tree line. We will line our cars up near the tree line. When everyone is there, Arthur Sweatman from the SI Group will lead the caravan of cars to the Hundred Acre Woods. Dave Kastner is our trip organizer. The target species is the Goatweed Leafwing and other fall butterflies. There is a porta potty on site. Restaurants and gas stations are nearby. The walk will be on flat ground but some field areas may be overgrown. Register online or contact Dave if you are able to attend.

Parris Island, South Carolina
2019-09-21 10:00 - 15:00 | Parris Island Gateway, 32.375001, -80.716649
This is a very rare opportunity to butterfly on Parris Island.
The walk will be LIMITED TO THE FIRST 10 PEOPLE who sign up by September 9 either on the CBS website or by contacting Marty Kastner at kastners@aol.com. When you register, you will need to PROVIDE YOUR fULL NAME AND DATE OF BIRTH. This information will be given to John Holloway (our trip leader and the natural resources person for Parris Island) which he will submit to Parris Island base security for the purpose of vetting all attendees. Dennis Forsythe is the organizer for this walk.
We will meet at the Parris Island Gateway entrance just south of US Highway 21 at Malecon Drive. Once through the main gate, we will pull over to caravan. The GPS coordinates for the front entry gate are 32.375001, -80.716649.
Long pants, sturdy shoes and a hat are recommended. Please bring sunscreen, insect repellent, water and lunch. Binoculars, a camera (for the photographers in the group) and field guide will be helpful for butterfly identification.

Crackerneck Wildlife Management Area and Ecological Reserve
2019-09-07 09:30 - 15:30 | Crackerneck WMA, 33.286, -81.781
Jackson, SC, Aiken County. Please visit their website for directions. This area is only open during designated dates and times. Meet at the gate where you will have to sign in and out. We may carpool on the property leaving the other cars in the parking area. We will drive to various areas to look for butterflies. The main roads are gravel, the smaller roads are grass but unless you get way off the track they are in pretty good shape and are well maintained. There is a port-o-let at the gate. The nearest town is Jackson, a mile or two from the front gate. There is a Subway there and possibly other local restaurants, but you should probably bring lunch because the property is huge and if you get back to the areas where we’re going to be, it can take as long as ½ hour just to get back to the gate. Intricate Satyr, Texan Crescent and Appalachian Brown have been found at this site.

Wannamaker Nature Preserve
2019-08-10 10:00 - 15:00 | Wannamaker Nature Preserve, 33.636649, -80.706006
This property is owned by the Columbia Audubon Society and is located 3.5 miles east of St. Matthews, South Carolina on SC 6. It is not open to the general public. There is a pavilion and bathroom on site. The target species is the second brood of the Harvester. Caroline Eastman, the “original” organizer, is not be able to attend so Marty and Dave Kastner will lead this walk..

Gum Swamp Road, Jackson, SC
2019-07-14 09:00 - 13:00 | Kathwood Lakes parking area, 33.337279, -81.843453
Date changed from Saturday, July 13 to Sunday, July 14 due to expected rain on July 13.
This is in Jackson, SC near Aiken. Our target species are Texan Crescent and Tawny and Hackberry Emperors. We will meet at the Kathwood Lakes parking area of the Silver Bluff Audubon Center and Sanctuary. We will leave some cars at this location and consolidate the number of vehicles. It is just before where the dirt road portion of Silver Bluff Road begins. It is approximately 200 yards after crossing the railroad tracks coming south on Silver Bluff Road. Kathwood Lakes is the name Google Map uses for the bodies of water at this location. The GPS coordinates are 33.337279, -81.843453. 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. There is a possibility of butterflying at Silver Bluff Audubon Center in the afternoon.

Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge
2019-06-01 09:30 - 16:00 | Carolina Sandhills NWR, 23734 US-1, McBee, SC, 29101, United States
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. Our target species will be hairstreaks including Banded, Coral and King’s. There are restroom facilities at Lake Bee, but we will not be near there until later in the day. There are gas stations in McBee. We will drive to sections of the NWR and stop to look for butterflies. Walking will be minimal.

Sumter National Forest - Enoree District
2019-05-13 10:00 - 15:30 | Sumter National Forest, Enoree District – BP Gas Station, 3536 Whitmire Hwy, Clinton, SC, 29325, United States
POSTPONED DUE TO PREDICTED WEATHER (was May 11)
NEW DATE – Monday, May 13
The Midlands Chapter walk to Sumter National Forest previously scheduled for May 11 has been postponed due to predicted rain. Dennis Forsythe who is leading has rescheduled the walk for Monday, May 13. Be sure to let Dennis know if you will be attending.
Please meet at the BP gas station on Hwy. 66 right off of I-26 near Joanna, SC. We will then drive to various parts of the forest. Walking will be minimal. There are bathrooms in the camping area, but we may not be near them until the afternoon. There are no restaurants nearby. Our targeted species are Pepper and Salt Skipper, Common Roadside-Skipper and Dusted Skipper. Dennis Forsythe will lead.

Peachtree Rock Heritage Preserve and Shealy's Pond Heritage Preserve
2019-03-02 10:00 - 15:00 | Peachtree Rock Heritage Preserve, 883 Peachtree Rock Rd, Lexington, SC, 29073, United States
We will visit Peachtree Rock Heritage Preserve and Shealy’s Pond Heritage Preserve if time permits. . Meet in the parking lot at Peachtree to look for the colony of Brown Elfins and other early butterflies. The address is 883 Peachtree Rock Road, Lexington, SC 29073. There are no facilities at this site, but gas stations and restaurants are nearby.
If the weather is too cold or rainy, we will move this trip to March 9

Midlands Chapter Planning Meeting
2019-02-02 10:00 - 13:00 | SC
The Midlands Chapter Planning Meeting will be held on February 2 at the home in Blythewood of Marty and Dave Kastner. Please use the contact form if you are coming and need directions.

Roxbury Park
2018-10-06 10:00 - 15:00 | Roxbury Park, 4494 Hwy 174, Meggett, SC, 29449, United States
We will search the many blooming asters for butterflies. There is a trail through the woods with tree roots and possibly some overgrown areas. Our target species are Salt Marsh Skipper and Intricate Satyr. Tom Austin will lead. He has become an expert on identifying the Intricate Satyr and being able to tell the differences between the Intricate and Carolina Satyr. No restaurants are nearby. Please bring binoculars, camera, field guide, sun screen and bug spray. Wear long pants and sturdy shoes. Be sure to register if you plan to attend.

Cancelled -Crackerneck Wildlife Management Area and Ecological Reserve
2018-09-15 09:30 - 15:30 | SC
This walk has been cancelled due to Hurricane Florence.
This area is only open during designated dates and times. Meet at the gate where you will have to sign in and out. We may carpool on the property leaving the other cars in the parking area. We will drive to various areas to look for butterflies. The main roads are gravel, the smaller roads are grass but unless you get way off the track they are in pretty good shape and are well maintained. The nearest town is Jackson, SC. There is a Subway there and other local restaurants, but you should probably bring lunch because the property is huge and if you get back to the areas where we’re going to be, it can take as long as ½ hour just to get back to the gate. Intricate Satyr, Texan Crescent and Appalachian Brown have been found at this site.
From Columbia:
(This route should take about 2 hours from downtown.)
Take I-26 W toward Greenville Take exit 107A to merge onto I-20 W toward Augusta.
Take exit 22 toward Aiken.
Turn left at US-1.
Continue on York St. SE.
Turn right at Park Ave SE.
Turn left at Chesterfield St S/SC-19 and continue to follow SC-19.
Slight right toward SC-1
Slight right at SC-1.
Turn left at Atomic Rd/SC-125
Continue on SC 125 approximately 12 miles to Jackson.
Turn right on Silverton Road (CR 63) and go 0.4 miles to stop sign on Main Street.
Turn left on Main Street and go 0.4 miles to Brown Road.
Turn right on Brown Road and go 2.1 miles until the pavement ends.
At end of pavement, turn left on graveled road and go 0.2 miles to check station/entrance.

SI Group, Orangeburg, SC
2018-09-01 09:45 - 15:30 | SC
We will again go to the Hundred Acre Woods of the SI Group to look for the Goatweed Leafwing as well as other butterflies. We have often found caterpillars and eggs as well as adult butterflies. Please bring your lunch and water. We will be eating at some picnic tables. Wear close toed shoes and long pants. Bring your binoculars, cameras, field guide, sunscreen and bug spray. Enter at the second entrance after crossing the railroad tracks coming from Hwy. 301. Look to your right and go towards the tree line. We will meet there. Restaurants and gas stations are nearby. There is a porta potty on site. Arthur Sweatman will be our leader.

Canceled - Sumter National Forest - Enoree District
2018-07-25 10:00 - 15:00 | SC
This walk has been canceled.
We will meet at the BP gas station on Hwy. 66 right off of I-26 near Joanna, SC. We will then drive to various parts of the forest. Walking will be minimal. There are bathrooms in the camping area, but we may not be near them until the afternoon. There are no restaurants nearby.

Canceled - Sumter National Forest – Enoree District
2018-05-19 10:00 - 15:00 | SC
We will meet at the BP gas station on Hwy. 66 right off of I-26 near Joanna, SC. We will then drive to various parts of the forest. Walking will be minimal. There are bathrooms in the camping area, but we may not be near them until the afternoon. There are no restaurants nearby.
Our targeted species are Pepper and Salt Skipper, Common Roadside-Skipper and Dusted Skipper.

Carolina Sandhills NWR / Cheraw SP
2018-04-28 09:00 - 15:00 | Carolina Sandhills NWR, 23734 US-1, McBee, SC, 29101, United States
Meet up will be at the visitor’s center. There is a restroom facility at Lake Bee in Sandhills NWR but we will not visit it until lunch so please plan accordingly. Gas stations and limited restaurant choices are available in McBee, SC, about 4 miles from the Refuge entrance. The nearest town with full services is Hartsville, SC. It is recommended that you pack a lunch and snacks and bring water. Walking conditions are generally easy except for the Lake Bee section which can be difficult depending on water levels. Bring good bug spray, hats, sun block, binoculars, and camera. Wear long sleeves, plants, and sturdy shoes, and any additional items you might need to have a pleasurable experience. Please refer to the Refuge’s website FAQs for additional information about visiting the facility. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Target species is Hessel’s Hairstreak.

Carolina Sandhills NWR
2018-03-31 10:00 - 15:00 | Carolina Sandhills NWR, 23734 US-1, McBee, SC, 29101, United States
Please meet in the parking lot at the visitor center which will be closed. The main entrance is on US Highway 1, about 4 miles northeast of McBee, SC. There are restroom facilities at Lake Bee, but we will not be near there until later in the day. We will drive to sections of the NWR and stop to look for butterflies. Walking will be minimal. If time permits we will head to Cheraw State Park to look for butterflies there.
The address is 23734 U.S. Highway 1, McBee, SC 29101.
Our target species will be Frosted Elfin.

Peachtree Rock Heritage Preserve
2018-03-17 10:00 - 15:00 | Peachtree Rock Heritage Preserve, 883 Peachtree Rock Rd, Lexington, SC, 29073, United States
We will meet in the parking lot. The trails are mostly sand with some rocky areas and hills. Please wear appropriate footwear such as sturdy or hiking shoes. Gas stations and restaurants are within a couple of miles from the Preserve. It is recommended you bring water, lunch or snacks, camera, binoculars, field guides, and any other items you may require to have an enjoyable experience. Wearing long pants, sunscreen, hat is advised. Use of bug spray may be needed. Please note that there are no amenities at this location such as a public restroom or water fountain.
Target species is the Brown Elfin.

Midlands Chapter Planning
2018-02-24 10:00 - 12:00 | SC
Planning meeting for the Midlands Chapter will be hosted at Marty and Dave’s house in Columbia, SC. Please register to receive an email from them for directions to their house if you are interested in attending.
