Carolina Butterfly Society

Historic Bethabara Park Gardens
2019-04-28 09:30 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | Historic Bethabara Park, 2147 Bethabara Road, Winston-Salem, NC, 27106, United States

CANCELLED - Pilot Mountain State Park - Surry County, NC
2019-04-20 10:00 - 14:00 | Pilot Mountain State Park – Surry County, NC, 36.340658, -80.479680
*** CANCELLED ***
I’m afraid we picked bad weather for our Saturday outing at Pilot Mountain. High temperatures are now predicted at 51 degrees, overcast and showers throughout the day Saturday.
There are still plenty of Brown Elfins there, particularly on the Jomeokee trail. I again found no Henry’s Elfins but did have 18 Browns yesterday (4/18/19).
Good luck on evading the upcoming storm!
Gene Schepker
——————–
Meet at Parking Lot (at 10 AM) near the bathrooms (as far as one can drive up after entering the park). Pilot Mountain State Park has no entrance fee but does have cool drinking water and clean bathrooms! Please leave me your email address preferably or phone number if you plan to attend!

North Carolina Mountain Field Trip
2019-04-14 09:00 - 2019-04-15 16:00 | NC Mountain Field Trips – Wells Fargo Bank Parking Lot, 173 Weaver Blvd, Weaverville, NC, 28787, United States
If you want to add spring mountain specialties to your NC list, this just might be your chance. Our local Asheville-area butterflying group will take you to our hotspots for Silvery Blues, Cobweb Skippers, Mottled Duskywings, Olympia Marbles, Hairstreaks, Elfins, and many others.
Sunday, April 14, we will cover some of the Sandy Mush Game Lands in Buncombe County. On Monday, April 15, we will be in the Hot Springs area of Madison County. Total species seen should be about 40.
Be aware that we will walk about 4 miles in Sandy Mush. Both Bear Creek and Cedar Hill areas are hilly and a mile in and a mile back out. We drive between gated areas. It can be very muddy. Hiking poles recommended. All areas of Hot Springs are mostly flat on dirt roads and in meadows.
Of course, weather is very dicey this time of year. By Thursday, April 11, I should know if the trip needs postponing due to rain. Rain dates will be two consecutive days between April 15 and 19, chosen by the best forecast.
If we are able to keep the dates of April 14/15, anyone wanting to drive up Saturday may find some butterfly action on the Blue Ridge Parkway or around the NC Arboretum. Sandy Mush is 20 – 35 min. from exit 19 off I-26 west in Weaverville, our morning meeting place for those staying nearby; Hot Springs is 45 min. from Weaverville. There is a Days Inn at exit 23 off I-26. There are also B&Bs in both Weaverville and Hot Springs. Pete Dixon has cabins for rent on his farm, which is one of our sites to visit in Hot Springs. I can send further info to anyone interested.
Please contact Gail Lankford (see below) if you have questions, or to sign up for the outing. I will need to know who to expect by April 10. There will be an agreement to sign for this trip. You must agree to never collect or harm any species at any site we visit, and agree that you will not reveal the specific sites containing the Cobweb Skippers or the small population of Olympia Marbles to anyone in the future.
Gail Lankford
whocooksforyou64@gmail.com, 828-645-4690 (land line; no text)

Carolina Sandhills NWR and Cheraw SP
2019-04-06 10:00 - 16:00 | Carolina Sandhills NWR, 23734 US-1, McBee, SC, 29101, United States
The Greater Charlotte Chapter of the Carolina Butterfly Society will have our first walk of the season to the Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge and Cheraw State Park this Saturday, April 6. So far the forecast is questionable for Saturday, decent temperatures but we may not see the sun. We will be looking for elfins and roadside skippers.
We will meet at 10:00 A.M. in the parking lot of the visitor’s center for the Carolina Sandhills NWR located at 23734 U.S. Highway 1, McBee, SC 29101
Please send me (Rob Gilson) an email if you plan to attend or if you have any questions

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
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.

CBS Annual Winter Meeting
2019-01-12 10:00 - 13:00

McDowell Prairie
2018-10-13 10:00 - 13:00 | McDowell Prairie, 12000 Four Horse Road, Charlotte, NC, 28278, United States
Meet at the McDowell Prairie Gate. We will walk a fairly easy open road in the prairie.
This walk usually takes just a few hours.
Bring good bug spray, hats, long sleeves. sun block, binoculars, camera, sturdy shoes and water.
Please volunteer to lead this walk.

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.

CBS Symposium
2018-09-29 09:00 - 15:30
This year’s symposium will be on September 29 at Reedy Creek Park in Charlotte, NC. We will be at Indoor Shelter #3. More details will be added as they become available.
Registration Form

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Lunch Form

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Directions
From North Carolina Cities Via I-85

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From North of Charlotte Via I-77

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From South Carolina Via I-77

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Cancelled -Crackerneck Wildlife Management Area and Ecological Reserve
2018-09-15 09:30 - 15:30
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.

NABA Count Congaree National Park
2018-09-08 09:00 - 15:00 | Congaree National Park, 100 National Park Rd, Hopkins, SC, 29061
Meet at the visitor center. We will divide into smaller groups. Some will have longer areas to walk. Some trails will have roots and may be overgrown. There are no restaurants nearby. Bring camera, binoculars, field guide, sun screen and insect repellent. Wear long pants and sturdy shoes. Contact David Shelley if you are able to help with this important count. You do not have to be an expert to help and may come for a whole or half day. david_shelley@nps.gov

SI Group, Orangeburg, SC
2018-09-01 09:45 - 15:30
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.

NABA Count - Pilot Mountain State Park
2018-08-28 09:00 - 16:00
Meet at the summit parking lot.

Sunday - Cataloochee Valley, Great Smokey Mountain National Park
2018-08-26 09:00 - 16:00 | Cataloochee Valley Trip – Pilot Station Meeting Place, 3712 Crabtree Road, Waynesville, NC, 28786, United States
On Sunday we will go to Cataloochee Valley, part of GSMNP. Another gorgeous area with plenty of areas that yield butterflies. Targets are American Copper and Diana Fritillary. There will be lots of Ironweed with skippers. Elk and bear sightings are very possible.
The meeting place will againbe the Pilot Station just north on Hwy. 209, exit 24 off I-40 west. The nearest town is Waynesville, NC. A motel near Hwy. 276 (Jonathan Creek Rd) intersection with Hwy. 19 (Dellwood Rd) would be convenient. There is also a Days Inn and a Quality Inn off I-40 at Canton, not too far east of the Pilot Station. Going into Waynesville on Hwy. 74 are many hotels, plus several on Hwy. 19 around Lake Junaluska. We will also carpool from Asheville, exit 44, to the Pilot Station for those choosing to stay there, as exit 44 has many hotels and restaurants.
Bring lunch, snacks, water, binoculars, camera and field guide.
There is no rain date for the weekend, but if at least one of the days is to be dry and sunny, we will butterfly that day. So if you plan to come, watch the weather forecast closely.

Saturday -- Harmon Den/Max Patch
2018-08-25 09:30 - 17:00 | Cataloochee Valley Trip – Pilot Station Meeting Place, 3712 Crabtree Road, Waynesville, NC, 28786, United States
On Saturday we will spend the day in the Harmon Den/Max Patch area north of I-40. The meeting place will be the Pilot Station just north on Hwy. 209, exit 24 off I-40 west. The nearest town is Waynesville, NC. A motel near Hwy. 276 (Jonathan Creek Rd) intersection with Hwy. 19 (Dellwood Rd) would be convenient. There is also a Days Inn and a Quality Inn off I-40 at Canton, not too far east of the Pilot Station. Going into Waynesville on Hwy. 74 are many hotels, plus several on Hwy. 19 around Lake Junaluska. We will also carpool from Asheville, exit 44, to the Pilot Station for those choosing to stay there, as exit 44 has many hotels and restaurants.
There is no rain date for the weekend, but if at least Saturday or Sunday is to be dry and sunny, we will butterfly that day. So if you plan to come, watch the weather forecast closely.

NABA Count - Wake County
2018-08-24 09:00 - 16:00

NABA Count - Hanging Rock State Park
2018-08-23 09:00 - 16:00 | Hanging Rock State Park, 1790 Hanging Rock Park Road, Danbury, NC, 27016
Meet at Vade Mecum access off Moore’s Springs Road.

NABA Count - Mayo River State Park
2018-08-21 09:00 - 16:00 | Mayo River State Park, 500 Old Mayo Park Road, Mayodan, NC, 27027, United States
Meet at the Mayo Mountain access, just past the park office.

NABA Count - Durham, NC
2018-08-19 08:45 - 17:00 | Eno River State Park, 6101 Cole Mill Rd, Durham, NC, 27705, United States
Meet at Eno River State Park Fews Ford parking area at the end of the road. For those interested, meet there again at 5:00 to compile count results.

NABA Count - Orange County, NC
2018-08-16 09:00 - 15:00 | Orange County, NC
Areas to be covered, but not limited to:
Brumley Forest, Johnston Mill, Keith Arboretum, Occoneechee State Park, portions of Duke Forest, and other areas in Chapel Hill and Hillsborough.
Comments: In lieu of a start and ending meet up, participants can check in with the organizer either by text or email that they have started their walk, and when finished, submit their counts. Participants are welcome to join the organizers at their home in Hillsborough around 3:30-4:00. They welcome any amount of time you can provide to cover these areas. If you live in Chapel Hill you might be within the count circle. Please contact the organizers to find out how you can help!

Latta Plantation Nature Preserve/Cowan's Ford Wildlife Refuge
2018-08-04 09:00 - 16:00 | Latta Plantation Nature Preserve, 6211 Sample Rd, Huntersville, NC, 28078, United States
We will start at the Latta Plantation Nature Center and walk around the Latta Prairie section of the park. Keep in mind this walk is in August and temperatures can be hot. We will be walking on hard surface horse trails for the most part with a couple large hills. We will eat lunch at the picnic tables at the Nature Center and then drive to Cowan’s Ford Nature Preserve where we will finish the day.
Bring Lunch, Snacks, WATER, WATER, WATER . There are Restrooms and picnic tables on site. Restaurants are not nearby so plan accordingly .
Bring Good bug spray for Ticks and Chiggers, hats, long sleeves, SUN BLOCK, binoculars, camera, and sturdy shoes. Field Guides, etc.

NABA Count North Buncombe County, NC
2018-08-03 09:00 - 16:00
This count is set for Friday, August 3 with a rain date of Thursday, August 2. Most of the count will be in the Sandy Mush Game Lands. Please contact Doug Johnston if you are participating. He will then give you specific details. wellsteadwest@gmail.com

Canceled - Sumter National Forest - Enoree District
2018-07-25 10:00 - 15:00
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.

Loretta Lutman's Garden
2018-07-15 14:00 - 16:30
The group will meet at Loretta Lutman’s home in Asheboro. Participants will enjoy the plantings and talk with Loretta about her extensive home butterfly garden. The group will look at caterpillar host plants as well as nectar sources. In addition to viewing the butterflies and gardens, there will also be refreshments and social time to talk with one another. For directions and last minute changes, contact Loretta by Thursday evening, July 12.

Harriet McCarthy's Garden
2018-07-07 09:30 - 12:00
The group will meet at Harriet McCarthy’s home in Winston-Salem. Participants will enjoy the plantings and talk with Harriet about her approaches to gardening for butterflies. The group will look at caterpillar host plants as well as nectar sources. In addition to viewing the butterflies and gardens, there will also be refreshments and social time to talk with one another. For directions and last minute changes, contact Harriet by Thursday evening, July 5.

NABA Count - Silver Bluff Audubon Sanctuary
2018-07-07 09:00 - 15:00 | Silver Bluff Audubon Sanctuary, 4542 Silver Bluff Road, Jackson, SC, 29831, United States
Meet at the Silver Bluff Audubon Sanctuary at 9:00. There is a restroom facility and drinking fountain available before the count starts and again around noon during a lunch break. The nearest town with full services is Jackson, SC. It is recommended that you pack a lunch and snacks and bring water. Walking conditions are generally easy. Bring good bug spray, hats, sun block, binoculars, camera and a field guide. Wear long sleeves, long pants, sturdy shoes and any additional items you might need to have a pleasurable experience. Please refer to the Silver Bluff Audubon Sanctuary website, Audubon’s Silver Bluff Sanctuary, for more information about visiting the facility. Everyone is welcome to attend. We will divide into two groups if there are a sufficient number of participants so we can cover more of the Sanctuary.

Pilot Mountain State Park
2018-06-30 09:30 - 12:00
The Triad Chapter of Carolina Butterfly Society will hold a butterfly walk at Pilot Mountain State Park in Surry County. Meet at the base of the mountain at the drive entrance. We will check out the butterflies in the meadow in this area. Be alert for changes in this plan in case we have to change the meeting place due to weekend crowding. After exploring the meadow, we will proceed up the mountain to the parking lot at the top near the restrooms.
Contact the field trip coordinator, Gene Schepker geneschepker@gmail.com, if you plan to participate. Participants are welcome to come on our walks without contacting the coordinator, but you may miss us if there are last minute changes in the trip details. Trip coordinators will contact those who register for our field trips with updates on weather issues, changes in timing or meeting places, and other details.
Wear sturdy shoes, bring plenty of water to drink, and dress for the summer weather. Binoculars, cameras, field guides, insect repellent and sunscreen probably will be useful. Those who wish to have a picnic lunch while on the top should bring their own food and drink because there is no place nearby to get them.
Our targets are Common Roadside Skipper, Mourning Cloak, and Hoary Edge, as well as other butterflies.
This trip is suitable for beginners as well as seasoned butterfliers. However, since the ground is uneven and there are potential tripping and falling hazards, it would be best for parents with kids and folks with ambulatory issues to seriously consider the possible dangers. Guests are welcome but no pets, please.

Anne Springs Close Greenway / Elon Park
2018-06-16 10:00 - 14:00 | Lake Haigler — Anne Springs Close Greenway, 2573 Lake Haigler Drive, Fort Mill, SC, 29715, United States
Meet at 10:00am at the Lake Haigler parking lot on Colharp Rd on the east side of the Highway 21 Bypass. Please download the trail map PDF to locate bathrooms and other public facilities.
We will start the day walking around the edge of Lake Haigler searching for the Byssus Skipper on the Buttonbush that grow around the lake.
After we are done at Anne Springs Close Greenway we will head to Elon Park about 15 minutes away located at: 11401 Ardrey Kell Rd Charlotte, NC 28277
At this location we will again search for Byssus Skipper which has not yet been seen in Mecklenburg County.
You can bring a picnic lunch and eat at one of the picnic tables at Anne Springs or stop for lunch at one of the restaurants on the way to Elon Park. The park has public restrooms.
Bring good bug spray, hats, long sleeves, sun block, binoculars, camera, sturdy shoes, and any other items you may need to have an enjoyable experience.

Haw River State Park
2018-06-16 09:30 - 12:00 | Haw River SP Iron Ore Belt Access, 6064 North Church Street, Greensboro, NC, 27455, United States
We will be exploring the new Iron Ore Belt Access section to the west. Please note, do NOT go to the Haw River SP conference center in Browns Summit. Meet at the Iron Ore Belt Access section parking lot near the pit toilet at 6064 N. Church St., Greensboro, NC 27455. For more information, visit their website: https://www.ncparks.gov/haw-river-state-park
Although our chapter has been elsewhere in the park in previous years, we have not gone as a group to the Iron Ore Belt Access section. A few of our members scouted this section back in the winter and noted a power line right-of-way, some meadows, and a wetland that look promising for butterflies. We will walk an easy to moderate woodland trail to get to these sites. The trail seemed a bit rocky and had projecting tree roots periodically, but there wasn’t a large elevation change.
Bring plenty of water to drink and dress for the summer weather. Binoculars, cameras, field guides, insect repellent, and sunscreen probably will be useful.
Contact the field trip coordinator, Anne Carlson carlsonanne74@gmail.com or register on the CBS website if you plan to participate. Participants are welcome to come on our walks without contacting the coordinator, but you may miss us if there are last minute changes in the trip details. Trip coordinators will contact those who register for our field trips with updates on weather issues, changes in timing or meeting places, and other details.
This will be an interesting butterfly walk because we will be exploring an area new to us. We believe that it’s suitable for beginners as well as seasoned butterfliers. However, since we aren’t sure about the terrain and distances involved, it would be best for kids and folks with ambulatory issues to skip this one. Guests are welcome but no pets, please.
