Hampton Park - Cassius Blue - Charleston, SC
2022-10-16 10:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | Hampton Park – Charleston, SC, 30 Mary Murray Drive, Charleston, SC, 29403, United States
We will meet in the parking lot on the north side of the park. The GPS coordinates for the lot are 32.80050, -79.95802. Our target species is the Cassius Blue. Dennis Forsythe will lead. Please contact him at dennis.forsythe@gmail.com if you are coming.

Greensboro Arboretum, NC
2022-10-22 09:30 - 12:00 | Greensboro Arboretum, 401 Ashland Drive, Greensboro, NC, 27403, United States
On Saturday, October 22, 2022, the Triad Chapter of CBS (Carolina Butterfly Society) will hold a butterfly walk at the Greensboro Arboretum to look for late season butterflies. This 17-acre site features 14 plant collections, special display gardens and distinct structural features. The extensive variety of plants offers chances to observe butterflies and provides rich educational opportunities for children and adults, landscape designers, and homeowners. Refer to the website below for a map and additional information.
Meet at the arboretum entrance at 401 Ashland Drive, Greensboro, North Carolina 27403 (or for those who prefer GPS coordinates, 36.07027, -79.84208). The contact person for this walk is Laura Karendal.

Wateree River HP & WMA - Southern Dogface (Eastover, near Columbia, SC)
2022-10-22 10:30 - 15:00 | Wateree River HP & WMA, 15001 Goodwill Road, Eastover, SC, 29044, United States
=== DATE CHANGE ===
Due to Hurricane Ian’s predicted landfall in South Carolina (along with the expected accompanying rain and possible flooding and tree damage due to high winds), the date of this walk has been changed to October 22.
This is a full CBS walk and a joint outing with SCAN (South Carolina Association of Naturalists) to the 3,674-acre Wateree River Heritage Preserve and Wildlife Management Area. Our target species is the Southern Dogface, but we will also be looking for other late-season butterflies as well. We will drive to various areas and walk some of the trails. 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 33.94949, -80.65303. The HP / WMA entrance is located at 15001 Goodwill Road, Eastover, SC 29044 (GPS coordinates 33.94353, -80.65551) on the north side of Garners Ferry Road, US Highway 378, just across from Goodwill Baptist Church.
NOTE – HP & WMA rules state that “All users must wear international orange from October 1 thru March 1.” so please bring an international orange cap or vest.
No restrooms are available on the property. Refer to the SCDNR website link below for additional information and maps of the property. Please RSVP to Marty Kastner at the email address below if you plan to participate.
See the website link below for hiking trails and other information about the Wateree River Heritage Preserve and Wildlife Management Area.

RESCHEDULED - Wateree River HP & WMA – Henry's Elfin & Falcate Orangetip (Eastover, near Columbia, SC)
2023-03-21 11:00 - 16:00 | Wateree River HP & WMA, 15001 Goodwill Road, Eastover, SC, 29044, United States
RESCHEDULED
Due to the forecast for rain on Saturday, March 18, this walk has been rescheduled for Tuesday, March 21, starting at 11:00 AM. We apologize for the inconvenience and hope you will still be able to attend.
The Carolina Butterfly Society Midlands Chapter will hold a butterfly walk at the 3,674-acre Wateree River Heritage Preserve and Wildlife Management Area. Our target species are the Henry’s Elfin and Falcate Orangetip, but we will also be looking for other early-season butterflies as well. We will drive to various areas and walk some of the trails. 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 33.94949, -80.65303. The HP / WMA entrance is located at 15001 Goodwill Road, Eastover, SC 29044 (GPS coordinates 33.94353, -80.65551) on the north side of Garners Ferry Road, US Highway 378, just across from Goodwill Baptist Church.
No restrooms are available on the property. Refer to the SCDNR website link below for additional information and maps of the property. Please RSVP to Marty Kastner at the email address below if you plan to participate. Please bring water, lunch, binoculars, cameras, sunscreen, and bug spray. Long pants and close-toed shoes are recommended.
See the website link below for hiking trails and other information about the Wateree River Heritage Preserve and Wildlife Management Area.

Blue Ridge Mountains – Olympia Marble (Western Madison County, NC)
2023-03-28 13:00 - 2023-03-29 16:00 | SC
Below are the details for the upcoming field trip to western Madison County in North Carolina. This event is limited to current members of CBS in good standing (with membership dues paid for 2023). As stated below, this trip is limited to 15 participants (on a first-come, first-served basis) so you are encouraged to reserve your spot early. If you are interested in attending but are unsure of your membership standing, please send an email to Dave Kastner (at the address below) and he will let you know your status. If you are not currently an up-to-date member, you can renew your membership and will be placed on the participant list after dues are received.
===== Start of Trip Information =====
This trip is limited to 15 participants. A wait list will be kept in case of cancellations.
Target Species:

Probable – Silvery Blue, Olympia Marble, Elfins (Eastern Pine, Brown, Henry’s), West Virginia White, Common Roadside Skipper, Hairstreaks, Duskywings, Zebra Swallowtail.
Possible – Northern Crescent, Early Hairstreak, Gulf Fritillary.
Unlikely – Cobweb Skipper (current early record April 9).

The exact locations of the Olympia Marble populations are NOT TO BE DISCLOSED. You must agree in order to join this trip.
The entire trip will be in western Madison County. Pete Dixon will be your leader. Those wishing to attend, please email Dave Kastner (kastners@aol.com), who will verify your CBS membership and forward your email to Pete. Pete will send participants the directions to his farm, where the trip will start both days.
The first day (Tuesday) trip will start at 1:00 by carpooling in 4 cars from Pete’s farm. Expect to be back to the farm by 5:00. The second day, Wednesday, will start at a morning time that Pete will set on Tuesday, based on predicted temperatures and amount of sun. The trip will end at about 4:00 for everyone. Carpooling will be based on the different times people need to leave for their drive back home.
For those who plan to arrive early on Tuesday, Pete can send you the website/directions for a trail that is on your way to his farm where Olympia Marbles have recently been discovered. The trail is about a mile round trip.
For places to stay overnight, there are several rental cabins and B&Bs in the county. Pete has 2 rental cabins on his farm, and there are several others nearby. Mars Hill has a Comfort Inn, and there is a Fairfield Inn in Weaverville (Buncombe County). For something unusual, the old jail in Marshall is now a boutique hotel. Hot Springs has many short-term rental properties. Mars Hill, Marshall, Hot Springs, and Weaverville each have a variety of restaurants and brewery taprooms. Weaverville is 40 min. to Pete’s farm; Marshall is 25 min; Mars Hill is 35 min. Hot Springs is 15 min. Obviously, there are many hotels and restaurants in Asheville, which would be another 10 to 30 min., depending on what area of Asheville you are in.
The planner for this field trip is Gail Lankford, who regrets she will not be able to attend. Feel free to contact her before March 20 at whocooksforyou64@gmail.com for more information.
The proposed rain date for this trip is April 4 and 5.
===== End of Trip Information =====

REVISED DATE - Carolina Sandhills NWR and Cheraw State Park – Elfins & Hessel’s Hairstreak (near McBee, SC)
2023-04-02 10:00 - 15:00 | Carolina Sandhills NWR, 23734 US-1, McBee, SC, 29101, United States
REVISED DATE – Moved to Sunday, April 2 (from Saturday, April 1)
The Carolina Butterfly Society Midlands Chapter will hold a butterfly walk at the Carolina Sandhills NWR (National Wildlife Refuge) and Cheraw State Park in Chesterfield County, South Carolina. Our target species will be all the elfins and Hessel’s Hairstreak.
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 34.502551, -80.223653.
There are restroom facilities at Lake Bee, but we will not be near there until later in the day if at all. There are gas stations in McBee. We will drive to different areas at both locations and stop to look for butterflies. Walking will be minimal. Please bring water, lunch, binoculars, cameras, sunscreen, and bug spray. Long pants and close-toed shoes are recommended. Marty and Dave Kastner will lead. Please register on the CBS website or contact kastners@aol.com if you can attend.

DATE CHANGE - Folly Beach – Yucca Giant-Skipper (near Charleston, SC)
2023-04-12 08:30 - 15:00 | SC
===== DATE CHANGE =====
The date for this walk has been changed to WEDNESDAY, April 12 due to the prediction of heavy rain on the original date of April 8.
The Carolina Butterfly Society Midlands Chapter will hold a butterfly walk to Lighthouse Inlet Heritage Preserve at the north end of Folly Beach in South Carolina. The target species is the Yucca Giant-Skipper.
Per the Lighthouse Inlet HP website, there is no close accessible parking and a paved surface leads to a natural, unimproved surface out to the beach area. Alison Smith will lead the walk. We will meet at Alison Smith’s home at 8:30 AM and carpool because parking is limited at the heritage preserve entrance and may be an issue. Contact Alison at sweetgrassess@gmail.com if you are coming and she will send you her address.

Congaree NP, Highway 601 Area – Spring Butterflies (near Columbia, SC)
2023-04-23 10:00 - 15:00 | Congaree NP Bates Trail, 33.7623, -80.6425
===== DATE CHANGE =====
Due to the weather forecast of 70% chance of rain, on Saturday, April 22, this walk has been changed to Sunday, April 23. This walk was originally scheduled for April 29 but, due to other event conflicts, had been changed to April 22.
The Carolina Butterfly Society Midlands Chapter will hold a butterfly walk at the “Highway 601 Area” of Congaree National Park in South Carolina. Our target species are any Spring butterflies. We will be exploring several locations in the immediate vicinity. Some areas may be a little overgrown, but the walking is mostly on level ground and easy.
We will meet at the head of the Bates Trail off Highway 601. Meeting place GPS coordinates are 33.762318, -80.642496.
We will drive to different areas and hike the trails to look for butterflies. Parking should be available at all locations but there are no restrooms. Please bring water, lunch, binoculars, cameras, sunscreen, and bug spray. Long pants and close-toed shoes are recommended. Dave and Marty Kastner will lead. Please register on the CBS website or contact them at kastners@aol.com if you can attend.

Sumter National Forest, Enoree District, South Carolina
2023-05-07 10:00 - 15:00 | Sumter National Forest, Enoree District – BP Gas Station, 3536 Whitmire Hwy, Clinton, SC, 29325, United States
The location for this trip has been changed from Chester County to Newberry and Laurens Counties.
The Carolina Butterfly Society Midlands Chapter will hold a butterfly walk to the Enoree District of the Sumter National Forest in South Carolina. Please note that this is a Sunday walk. Our target species are the Pepper and Salt Skipper, Common Roadside-Skipper and possibly Dusted Skipper.
Meet at the BP gas station on Highway 66, Whitmire Highway, just off I-26 at exit 60. The GPS coordinates of the gas station are 34.4383, -81.7628.
There are bathrooms in the camping area of Sumter National Forest, but we may not be near them until the afternoon. There is also a rest stop on westbound I-26 shortly before exit 60. Please bring water, lunch, binoculars, cameras, sunscreen, and bug spray. Long pants and close-toed shoes are recommended. Dennis Forsythe will lead. Please register on the CBS website or contact Dennis at dennis.forsythe@gmail.com if you can attend.

REVISED DATE - Super-Sod Farm and Surrounding Area – Common Sootywing (Orangeburg, SC)
2023-05-24 10:00 - 15:00 | Super-Sod Farm, 3086 Five Chop Road, Orangeburg, SC, 29115, United States
REVISED DATE – Moved to Wednesday, May 24 (from Monday, May 22) due to expected weather conditions.
The Carolina Butterfly Society Midlands Chapter will explore areas around and possibly inside the Super-Sod Farm in Orangeburg, South Carolina. Please note that this is now a Wednesday walk. Our target species is the Common Sootywing which has been recoded here in the past.
Meet at the Super-Sod office at 3086 Five Chop Road, Orangeburg, South Carolina, 29115. The GPS coordinates are 33.4594, -80.7433.
Please bring water, lunch, binoculars, cameras, sunscreen, and bug spray. Long pants and close-toed shoes are recommended. Dennis Forsythe will lead. Please register on the CBS website or contact Dennis at dennis.forsythe@gmail.com if you can attend.

NABA Butterfly Count (CSRV, Aiken County, SC)
2023-07-08 09:00 - 16:00 | Silver Bluff Audubon Sanctuary, 4542 Silver Bluff Road, Jackson, SC, 29831, United States
On Saturday, July 8, 2023, NABA (North American Butterfly Association) will hold a butterfly count in the CSRV (Central Savannah River Valley) at the Silver Bluff Audubon Center in Jackson, South Carolina. Audubon’s Silver Bluff Sanctuary is a 3,400-acre woodland overlooking the Savannah River. Here you’ll find extensive pine forests and bottomland hardwood forests; beautiful walking trails; 50 acres of lakes and ponds; 100 acres of grassland; and all manner of birds, butterflies and wildlife. Refer to the website below for specific directions and additional information about Silver Bluff Sanctuary.
Meet at the Silver Bluff Audubon Visitor Center in Jackson, South Carolina. The GPS coordinates for the gate just outside the visitor center are 33.32451, -81.84501. Please RSVP to John Demko at the email address below if you plan to participate.
Important note: Using the street address, some GPS systems tell you that you’ve arrived one mile before you actually reach the Silver Bluff gates. At that point, Silver Bluff Road transitions from a paved road to a well-maintained sand/clay road. Continue driving for one more mile and you’ll see the gates on your right. As stated earlier, the GPS coordinates above are for the gate located just outside the visitor’s center.
On this same date, there will also be another group conducting the NABA count over on the Georgia side of the river. If anyone is interested in participating with this other group in Georgia, contact John Demko at the email address below for more information.

Loretta Lutman’s Home Butterfly Garden 2023 (Randolph County, NC)
2023-07-08 11:00 - 14:00 | Loretta Lutman Home Butterfly Garden, CONTACT LORETTA FOR THE ADDRESS
On Saturday, July 8, 2023, the Triad Chapter of CBS (Carolina Butterfly Society) has been invited to a butterfly walk at Loretta Lutman’s extensive private butterfly garden in Randolph County that has many nectar plants all around her house. In addition, she has installed her “blue garden,” a sculpture garden of butterfly images with blue being the dominant color. This is a beautiful addition to all her planted beds.
Loretta has previously stated, “The tour of my garden includes photos of what was once a scrubby wooded lot with no sun, to a full-fledged butterfly garden full of nectar plants with the surrounding woodlands supplying host plants. Around and in back of the house are several butterfly sculptures in the ‘blue’ garden. After your tour, sit a spell in the gazebo (with fans), view the garden, and enjoy butterflies, skippers, and the surprise goldfinches that come to forage on coneflower petals. Listen to the delightful sound of the waterfall sprinkler.”
As well as developing her own extensive butterfly garden, Loretta has spent many years as a volunteer working at the nearby NC Zoo in their butterfly gardening efforts. She also is the author of a scientifically accurate children’s book on the butterfly life cycle.
If you would like to attend, please contact Loretta Lutman at the email address below to RSVP and obtain her address (which, for privacy and security concerns, is not published here). If it happens to rain (banish the thought) on July 8, this walk will be rescheduled to July 15.

NC Western Mountains - BRP (near Asheville, NC)
2023-07-15 10:00 - 2023-07-16 17:00 | Bent Creek River Park, 1610 Brevard Road, Asheville, NC, 28806, United States
This is a Full CBS Walk to the western mountains of North Carolina that will explore several areas along and around the BRP (Blue Ridge Parkway) near Asheville, NC. We will meet both days at 10:00 at the Bent Creek River Park, at 1610 Brevard Road, Asheville, NC 28806 (GPS coordinates 35.5015, -82.5931), which is located about 100 yards south of the traffic light at the BRP entrance ramp. This meeting location will be our first opportunity to look for butterflies and a good place to leave vehicles (for those who prefer to carpool).
The plan for Saturday is to caravan up Bent Creek to the BRP, travel south past Mount Pisgah to eventually make it to a USFS area called The Pink Beds. For Sunday we could drive further south along the BRP to higher elevations near Graveyard Fields and Black Balsam. Depending on the weather we may decide to go to the higher country on Saturday.
Saturday Proposed Route and Locations

Starting point @ Bent Creek River Park (address and/or GPS coordinates above).
Then 2.7 miles to Hard Times Trailhead.
Next, follow Bent Creek Gap Road for 4.8 miles to Bent Creek Gap to access the BRP.
Continue south on the BRP for 10 miles to Fryingpan Mountain Lookout tower.
Continue south on the BRP & Hwy 276, for 8 miles to the Pink Beds near the Cradle of Forestry.
There are two options for returning to the starting point. The first is going back the way we came. The other is to follow the gravel USFS Yellow Gap Road for 10 miles to the North Mills River Campground, then taking North Mills River Road and Hwy 191 back to Bent Creek River Park.

Sunday Proposed Route and Locations

Meet again at Bent Creek River Park (address and/or GPS coordinates above)
Drive south on the BRP 44 miles to Black Balsam Knob parking area.

Please bring water, lunch, binoculars, cameras, sunscreen, and bug spray. Long pants and close-toed shoes are recommended. Sparrel Wood will lead. Please register on the CBS website or contact Sparrel at sparrel88@gmail.com if you plan on attending.
Following is a link to booking.com for lodging near the starting location.
The 10 best hotels near North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville, United States of America (booking.com)

Gum Swamp Road and Silver Bluff Audubon Sanctuary (Aiken Co, SC)
2023-08-05 09:00 - 2023-08-06 15:00 | Kathwood Lakes parking area, 33.337279, -81.843453
This is a Full CBS Walk to areas near Aiken, South Carolina, to look for the Texan Crescent, Tawny Emperor, Hackberry Emperor and other summer butterflies. On Saturday, August 5, 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). On Sunday, August 6, we will explore areas within the Silver Bluff Audubon Center and Sanctuary that are generally not open to the public. The gate to the lakes (see below for the location) will be open on Sunday at dawn if you want to do some birding before our butterfly walk.
We will meet both days at the Kathwood Lakes parking area (GPS coordinates 33.33728, -81.84345) 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. Please RSVP to John Demko at the email address below if you plan to participate.
Add to calendar

Marie Poteat’s Property – Jamestown, NC
2023-08-12 09:30 - 12:00 | Marie Poteat’s Property – Guilford County, NC, 1111 Bales Chapel Rd, Jamestown, NC, 27282, United States
The Triad Chapter of CBS will hold a butterfly walk on Saturday, August 12 to Marie Poteat’s property in Jamestown, NC. Of all the triad butterfly reports this year, Maries by far have had the most butterflies. In large part, this is because Marie has spent years reintroducing caterpillar host plants and butterfly nectar plants on what was once her family’s 70-acre+ working farm. For those interested in Monarch butterflies, she has more than 25 species of the milkweed host plants. This hard work has paid off. She probably has more butterfly species visiting and breeding on her property than any other location in Guilford County.
Marie said in an email:
Last year I had the most species of butterflies in mid August so I think we should plan for August 12 with August 19 as the second option depending on weather. Of course there is no guarantee of what we see, but there should be a lot of swallowtails, skippers, and some hairstreaks maybe.
I think the start time should be 9:30 so that we can have from 10:00-12:00 to look for butterflies before the main heat of the day.
Parking will be at 1111 Bales Chapel in Jamestown.
Note that there are no rest rooms available; be sure to make a “pit stop” in town before you continue to the Poteat property. In addition, you will have to bring everything you need including water, a snack, a folding chair, a butterfly field guide, and, if you have them, binoculars and a camera.
Marie is limiting the number of participants to about 10 – 12 people. If you want to join in on this butterfly walk, you MUST register by contacting Marie at the email address below.
Summary: Butterfly walk, 8-12-23, Marie Poteat Property, 1111 Bales Chapel, Jamestown, NC beginning at 9:30 a.m. Limited to 10-12 participants. YOU MUST REGISTER IN ADVANCE IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE!

NABA Count – Congaree National Park (Hopkins, SC)
2023-08-19 09:00 - 15:00 | Congaree National Park, 100 National Park Rd, Hopkins, SC, 29061
On Saturday, August 17, 2023, the Midlands Chapter of CBS (Carolina Butterfly Society) will participate in a NABA (North American Butterfly Association) count at Congaree National Park near Columbia, South Carolina, to look for seasonal butterflies.
Meet at the Harry Hampton Visitor Center (GPS coordinates 33.82984, -80.82343) where we will divide into smaller groups. Some groups will have longer areas to walk than others. Some of the trails will have roots and/or may be overgrown. There are no restaurants nearby. You do not have to be an expert to participate and may come for a whole or half day.
Refer to the national park website link below for additional information and maps of the property. If possible, bring water, lunch, binoculars, cameras, sunscreen, and bug spray. If you do not have binoculars, Congaree may be able to provide a set for the day. Long pants and close-toed shoes are recommended. Please register on the CBS website or RSVP to Marty Kastner at the email address below if you can help with this important count.

Salleyland - Late-Summer Butterflies (Salley, SC)
2023-08-27 10:00 - 15:00 | Salleyland, 2838 Firetower Rd, Salley, SC, 29137, United States
The Midlands Chapter of CBS (Carolina Butterfly Society) will hold a butterfly walk at Salleyland near Salley, South Carolina, to look for late-summer butterflies. Please note that this is a Sunday walk.
Salleyland is an approximately 100-acre undeveloped (except for a small cabin) tract of land that includes a hardwood forest, a sandhills area, a stream and a swamp. Our host and Salleyland co-owner, Whit Gibbons, is a renowned naturalist and editor, author or co-author of more than 20 books. He also has written numerous articles that have been published in scientific journals.
We will meet at the Salleyland cabin. The address is 2838 Firetower Road, Salley, South Carolina, 29137 in Orangeburg County. GPS coordinates for the entrance to the access road that leads back to the cabin are 33.53716, -81.27444. Parking at the cabin is limited and the access road is difficult for low ground clearance vehicles.
Restrooms are available on the property. Please RSVP or send any questions to Tom Austin at the email address below if you plan to participate.

CANCELLED - Etheredge Mill Pond – Aaron’s Skipper (North, SC)
2023-08-29 10:00 - 14:00 | Etheredge Mill Pond – North, SC, 33.62726, -81.04808
CANCELLED – After numerous recent scouting visits, no Aaron’s Skippers could be found. Consequently, this year’s walk has been CANCELLED! Here’s to hoping they’ll be back next year.
The Midlands Chapter of CBS (Carolina Butterfly Society) will hold a butterfly walk at Etheredge Mill Pond near North, South Carolina, to look for Aaron’s Skipper fall brood and other late-season butterflies. Please note that this is a Tuesday walk. Locations of interest will be around the mill pond. At times, we will be walking along the fairly wide shoulders of paved roads.
Meet on the east side of Etheredge Mill Pond at the corner of Highway 178 / North Road and Highway 172 / Redmond Mill Road (GPS coordinates 33.62726, -81.04808) in the open area on the north side of Highway 178 and just to the west of Highway 172.
No restrooms are available on the property. Please RSVP to John Demko at the email address below if you plan to participate.

Francis Marion National Forest (McClellanville, NE of Charleston, SC)
2023-09-09 10:00 - 2023-09-10 16:00 | Francis Marion NF McClellanville Circle K, 33.09514, -79.47558
SAVE THE DATES
This is a full CBS walk. Exact locations for butterflying within the FMNF (Francis Marion National Forest) will be determined after the NABA count the weekend before this scheduled CBS walk. We will go to the most productive areas in the FMNF based on NABA count results.
On Saturday, we will meet at the Circle K convenience store at the intersection of Highway 17 and Route 45 in McClellanville, SC (GPS coordinates 33.09514, -79.47558). Restrooms are available at this location. From there we will drive to the areas within the FMNF to butterfly. We will be on forest roads within the national forest. There is a fairly large area to explore so we will be driving to specific sites, parking and walking along the roadside, then driving to other areas to explore on foot. There are no facilities within the FMNF. The meeting location for Sunday will be determined at the end of the walk on Saturday.
Make sure to bring plenty of water, bug repellant and a lunch. You can attend either or both days. Please contact Alison Smith at the email address below if you plan to participate.

NABA Count – Congaree National Park (Hopkins, SC)
2023-09-16 09:00 - 15:00 | Congaree National Park, 100 National Park Rd, Hopkins, SC, 29061
On Saturday, September 16, 2023, the Midlands Chapter of CBS (Carolina Butterfly Society) will participate in a NABA (North American Butterfly Association) count at Congaree National Park near Columbia, South Carolina, to look for mid to late-season butterflies.
Meet at the Harry Hampton Visitor Center (GPS coordinates 33.82984, -80.82343) where we will divide into smaller groups. Some groups will have larger areas to explore than others. Some of the trails will have roots and/or may be overgrown. There are no restaurants nearby. You do not have to be an expert to participate and may come for a whole or half day. Please bring water, lunch, snacks, and if you have them, binoculars, a camera and field guide. Sunscreen, bug spray, long pants and close-toed shoes are highly recommended.
Refer to the national park website link below for additional information and maps of the property. Please RSVP to Theresa Yednoc at the email address below if you can help with this important count.

Reynolda Gardens 2023 (Winston-Salem, NC)
2023-09-23 09:30 - 12:00 | Reynolda Gardens, 100 Reynolda Village, Winston-Salem, NC, 27106, United States
On Saturday, September 23, 2023, the Triad Chapter of CBS (Carolina Butterfly Society) will hold a butterfly walk at the FORMAL GARDENS area of Reynolda Gardens.
After the CBS walk through the formal gardens, attendees are welcome to stay a little longer and visit other areas of the 134-acre grounds. These other areas include two miles of scenic walking trails, wetlands, paved pathways, thick woodlands, an expansive meadow for visitors to explore and enjoy and a waterfall, located along the Reynolda Village trail. Refer to the website below for a map and additional information.
Meet at the garden entrance greenhouse at 100 Reynolda Village, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27106 (or for those who prefer GPS coordinates, 36.12564, -80.28474). Please RSVP to Barbara Cullen at the email address below if you plan to participate.

Pre-Symposium Walk - Timmerman Trail (Cayce, SC)
2023-10-06 14:00 - 16:30 | Timmerman Trail, 33.934482, -81.037010
This is a pre-symposium butterfly walk but anyone is welcome whether they plan on attending the symposium or not.
We will meet at the trailhead on Fort Congaree Trail (which is the road name). Take I-77 to exit 2, called 12th Street Extension, and turn onto Fort Congaree Trail. Drive past the Courtyard Hotel and the Lexington Tennis Center. The GPS coordinates are 33.9345, -81.0370 and there is a large area for parking on the left just before the trailhead. The beginning of this trail is paved. We will follow it for a short distance and then walk down Old State Road which is dirt.
No restrooms are available on the property. Please register online at the CBS website or RSVP to Marty Kastner 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.

2023 Symposium - Saluda Shoals Park (Columbia, SC)
2023-10-07 09:15 - 15:30 | Saluda Shoals Park Environmental Center, 34.04960, -81.18309
Come and join us for the Carolina Butterfly Society 2023 Symposium that will be held on Saturday, October 7 at Saluda Shoals Park, 5605 Bush River Road in Columbia, South Carolina. Check-in will be from 9:15 am to 9:45 am. Presentations will be from 9:45 am to 11:45 am and 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm with a break for lunch and a short butterfly walk around Saluda Shoals Park from 11:45 am to 1:30 pm. There is no cost to attend but if you would like to purchase a lunch using the Registration and Lunch Form below, there is a $15.00 charge. (Please note that lunch cannot be guaranteed if we do not receive your lunch form and payment by October 2).
Featured Presentations
Tips for Field Expedient Identification of the Intricate Satyr in Coastal SC – Tom Austin – Land Protection Specialist for the Edisto Island Open Land Trust
Sex, Salt, and the Single Butterfly – Carol Boggs Ph.D. – Professor & Director, School of the Earth, Ocean, & Environment, University of South Carolina
Native Plants that Attract Butterflies – Dennis Burnette – Retired Professor and Current Nature Educator
Where’s Waldo: What Species Do We Need to Search for in South Carolina? – Brian Scholtens Ph.D. – Professor of Biology, College of Charleston

Symposium Registration and Lunch Form – Copy and paste the following link into your browser of choice – https://www.carolinabutterflysociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Registration-and-Lunch-Form-2023.pdf
Please note: We are NOT providing single-use water bottles. Please bring your own water bottle and coffee cup. We will provide coffee, creamer, sugar, sweetener, morning snacks, sweet and unsweet tea, cups for tea, and ice. There are drinking fountains in the building where water bottles can be filled or refilled. Ice will be available for the tea and water.
Area Lodging – There are several choices at the intersection of I-20 and Bush River Road:
Doubletree by Hilton Best Western Inns and Suites
Quality Inns and Suites Sleep Inn Columbia
Other area hotels are also available.
Butterfly walks have also been planned for Friday, October 6, from 2:00 pm until 4:30 pm at Timmerman Trail in Cayce, SC, and Sunday, October 8, from 9:30 am until 2:30 pm at Wateree River HP and WMA in Eastover, SC.
Make plans now to bring a friend and join us.

Post-Symposium Walk - Wateree River HP and WMA (Eastover, near Columbia, SC)
2023-10-08 09:30 - 14:00 | Wateree River HP & WMA, 15001 Goodwill Road, Eastover, SC, 29044, United States
This is a post-symposium butterfly walk at the 3,674-acre Wateree River Heritage Preserve and Wildlife Management Area but anyone is welcome whether they plan on attending the symposium or not. We will drive to various areas and walk some of the trails. Areas may be a little overgrown, but the walking is mostly on level ground and easy. The Southern Dogface has been seen consistently at this site.
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 33.94949, -80.65303. The HP / WMA entrance is located at 15001 Goodwill Road, Eastover, SC 29044 (GPS coordinates 33.94353, -80.65551) on the north side of Garners Ferry Road, US Highway 378, just across from Goodwill Baptist Church.
No restrooms are available on the property. Please register online at the CBS website or RSVP to Marty Kastner 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 SCDNR website link below for hiking trails and other information about the Wateree River Heritage Preserve and Wildlife Management Area.

SI Group Hundred Acre Woods – Goatweed Leafwing (Orangeburg, SC)
2023-10-14 13:00 - 16:00 | SI Group, 725 Cannon Bridge Road, Orangeburg, SC, 29115, United States
TIME CHANGED (from 10:00am-3:00pm to 1:00pm-4:00pm)
DATE CHANGED (from September 30 to October 14)
On Saturday, October 14, 2023, the Midlands Chapter of CBS (Carolina Butterfly Society) will hold a butterfly walk at the SI Group Hundred Acre Woods in Orangeburg, South Carolina, to look for the Goatweed Leafwing (we believe there is an existing, ongoing colony) and other fall butterflies. 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. This site was last visited in 2019.
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.
The address is 725 Cannon Bridge Road, Orangeburg, SC 29115 (GPS coordinates 33.465095, -80.884050). 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.
Please register online at the CBS website or RSVP to Diane Curlee, our trip organizer, at the email address below if you plan to participate.

Wateree River HP & WMA – Southern Dogface (Eastover, near Columbia, SC)
2023-10-21 10:00 - 16:00 | Wateree River HP & WMA, 15001 Goodwill Road, Eastover, SC, 29044, United States
The Carolina Butterfly Society Midlands Chapter will hold a butterfly walk on October 21,2023 at the 3,674-acre Wateree River Heritage Preserve and Wildlife Management Area. Our target species is the Southern Dogface, but we will also be looking for other late-season butterflies as well. We will drive to various areas and walk some of the trails. 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 33.94949, -80.65303. The HP / WMA entrance is located at 15001 Goodwill Road, Eastover, SC 29044 (GPS coordinates 33.94353, -80.65551) on the north side of Garners Ferry Road, US Highway 378, just across from Goodwill Baptist Church.
No restrooms are available on the property. Refer to the SCDNR website link below for additional information and maps of the property. Please RSVP to Marty Kastner 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.

DATE CHANGE - Congaree Creek HP and Timmerman Trail (Cayce, SC)
2024-03-12 11:00 - 16:00 | Congaree Creek Heritage Preserve, 634 Old State Road, Cayce, SC, 29033, United States
DUE TO THE INCLEMENT WEATHER FORECAST FOR SATURDAY, MARCH 9, THE DATE FOR THIS WALK HAS BEEN CHANGED TO TUESDAY, MARCH 12. Also, due to the expected low temperature Monday night, the start time has been moved back to 11:00 am (from 10:00 am).
The Carolina Butterfly Society Midlands Chapter will hold a butterfly walk on Tuesday, March 12, 2024. We will meet in the parking lot of Congaree Creek Heritage Preserve located at 634 Old State Road, Cayce, SC 29033 (GPS coordinates 33.9426, -81.0325). We will explore areas in and near part of the Heritage Preserve, along Old State Road and the Timmerman Trail. Our target species are Goatweed Leafwing, Falcate Orangetip and Elfins. Walking is easy and the distance is up to the participants.
There is a restroom at the Cayce Tennis Center on Fort Congaree Trail Road, but we will not be in that area until later in the day. Please register online at the CBS website or RSVP to Marty Kastner 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.

Wateree River HP & WMA (Eastover, near Columbia, SC)
2024-03-16 10:00 - 15:00 | Wateree River HP & WMA, 15001 Goodwill Road, Eastover, SC, 29044, United States
The Carolina Butterfly Society Midlands Chapter will hold a butterfly walk on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at the 3,674-acre Wateree River Heritage Preserve and Wildlife Management Area. Our target species are Henry’s Elfin and Falcate Orangetip, but we will also be looking for other early-season butterflies as well. We will drive to various areas and walk some of the trails. 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. Refer to the SCDNR website link below for additional information and maps of the property. Either register on the CBS website or RSVP to Marty Kastner 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.

Lake Brandt Marina - Falcate Orangetip (Greensboro, NC)
2024-04-06 10:00 - 15:00 | Lake Brandt Marina, 5945 Lake Brandt Road, Greensboro, NC, 27455, United States
The first outing of the Triad Chapter this year is on April 6th. We will meet at 10:00 am at the Lake Brandt Marina parking lot for up to a half-mile hike on the Reedy Creek Fork Trail. The address of the Marina is 5945 Lake Brandt Rd, Greensboro, NC 27455. A known colony of Falcate Orangetips have been observed there in the past.
For those who would enjoy a longer day, we will continue to the Arboretum in Greensboro. The Arboretum is approximately a fifteen-minute drive from the Marina. Please pack a bag lunch and beverage and we will eat at the Arboretum. The parking lot for the Arboretum is closed so we will be parking at the W. Market Street ballfields located at 3299 Starmount Drive, Greensboro, NC.
Please notify Bernyce Pritchard by April 1st at the email address below if you are planning to attend.

Kalmia Gardens and Cheraw State Park - Hessel's Hairstreak and Elfins (Hartsville, SC)
2024-04-06 11:00 - 16:00 | Kalmia Gardens, 34.3654, -80.1175, United States
START TIME CHANGED TO 11:00 am
We will begin the day at Kalmia Gardens. The address on their website is listed as 1624 West Carolina Avenue, Hartsville, SC 29550, but that is the mailing address for the building in the center of the gardens. We will meet in the parking lot; the entrance to the parking lot on West Carolina Avenue is located at GPS coordinates 34.36548, -80.11746. At Kalmia we will be looking for the stand of Atlantic White Cedar which is the host plant for Hessel’s Hairstreak.
After spending some time in and around the gardens, we will drive approximately 30 minutes to Cheraw State Park. Our target species at Cheraw are all the elfins and, again, Hessel’s Hairstreak.
Marty and Dave Kastner will lead this walk. Please 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.
