Carolina Butterfly Society

Sumter National Forest Long Cane District (Edgefield, SC)
2024-05-11 10:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | Lick Fork Lake Recreation Area, 33.72642, -82.04029
We will walk Lick Fork Road, FS-634 to Horn Creek, and possibly Miller Branch Road. These are dirt roads with Prunella vulgaris and in some spots there are some relatives of Black-eyed Susans. We’ll meet in the Lick Fork Lake Recreation Area at the parking lot near the boat ramp. The GPS coordinates are 33.72642, -82.04029. 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.
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.

John Demko will lead. Please let him know in advance if you are coming. There is no cell service in the areas we will be exploring. Call him at 803-761-3047 or email at jldemko@bellsouth.net if you plan on attending.

Black River Cypress Preserve, Swampside Tract (Andrews, SC)
2024-05-18 10:00 - 15:00 | Swampside Tract – Black River Cypress Preserve, 16368 County Line Road, Andrews, SC, 29510, United States
The Midlands Chapter of CBS (Carolina Butterfly Society) will explore the Swampside Tract of Black River Cypress Preserve near Andrews, South Carolina. This preserve is privately owned and groups are admitted by appointment only. Please note that we need to have at least 6 people attend and each must sign a waiver upon arrival.
The Cypress Preserve offers a unique opportunity to experience some of North America’s most diverse and exotic ecosystems—from mysterious black water swamps and rivers to sparkling pine savannas. We will explore via winding hiking trails that feature interpretive signs and plaques, identifying the flora and fauna that have evolved in these landscapes over millennia.
We will meet in the parking lot near the main entrance. The preserve address is 16368 County Line Road (Hwy 41), Andrews, South Carolina, 29510. GPS coordinates for the preserve entrance that leads back to the parking area are 33.4988, -79.5341.
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.

Historic Bethabara Park (Winston-Salem, NC)
2024-05-18 14:00 - 17:00 | Historic Bethabara Park, 2147 Bethabara Road, Winston-Salem, NC, 27106, United States
On Saturday, June 18, 2024, the Triad Chapter of CBS (Carolina Butterfly Society) will hold a butterfly walk at the Historic Bethabara Park Butterfly Garden. The Bethabara Gardens are beautiful, historically significant places to explore. When the Moravians settled Bethabara in the early 1750s, one of the first things they established were the gardens. The Pollinator Garden was not planted by the Moravians, but this new garden preserves their tradition and values of respecting and understanding of the balance of nature. The entire park encompasses 183 acres of preserved wildlife, historic buildings and grounds, walking and birding trails, and protected wetlands but we will initially be exploring the garden listed above. Refer to the website below for a map and additional information.
The park address is 2147 Bethabara Road, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27106 (or for those who prefer GPS coordinates, 36.15470, -80.29618). Please RSVP to Bernyce Pritchard at the email address below if you plan to participate.

Weymouth Woods Sandhills Nature Preserve & Sandhills Gamelands (NC)
2024-06-01 09:00 - 2024-06-02 15:00 | Weymouth Woods – Sandhills NP, 1024 N Fort Bragg Rd, Southern Pines, NC, 28387, United States
Saturday June 1, 2024 – Weymouth Woods Sandhills Nature Preserve
We will meet at the Weymouth Woods Sandhills Nature Preserve Visitor’s Center at 9:00 a.m. The visitor’s center address is 1024 N Fort Bragg Road, Southern Pines, NC 28387 (with GPS coordinates listed on the website as 35.1470, -79.3715). The GPS coordinates for the entrance to the visitor’s center from N Fort Bragg Road are 35.14681, -79.37183.
This location offers a pleasant walk through stands of pine forests. Pathways are packed sand. We will likely visit the Paint Hill Tract while at Weymouth Woods, and if time allows, we may make a stop at Sandhills Community College.
Sunday June 2, 2024 – Sandhills Gamelands
We will meet at the BP gas station in Hoffman, NC at 9:00 a.m. The gas station address is 2183 Caddell Road, Hoffman, NC 28347 and the GPS coordinates are 35.02646, -79.55963.
From the gas station, we will venture in to the Sandhills Gamelands to explore the various sand roads, pine stands, creeks, and lakes to see what we can turn up. Road conditions in the Sandhills Gamelands can be tricky at times. The roads are sand and are fairly solid but after wet weather can be difficult.
Target species are the King’s and Edward’s Hairstreaks. Additional species commonly seen are Palamedes, Spicebush, and Tiger Swallowtails; Common Buckeyes, Eastern Tailed Blues and Azures, and assorted duskywings.
It is recommended that you bring additional snacks, food, and beverages as during the walks we will be away from public facilities. Wearing sturdy walking or hiking shoes is recommended along with long sleeves and 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 items you may need (camera, binoculars, field guides, etc.) to ensure a pleasant experience.
Rob Gilson, who can be reached at the email address listed below, is the leader for these field trips. Please either contact Rob or register on the CBS website if you plan on attending.

Pat Holder’s Home Butterfly Garden (Asheboro, NC)
2024-06-15 09:30 - 12:00 | Pat Holder Home Butterfly Garden, CONTACT PAT FOR THE ADDRESS
On Saturday, June 15, 2024, the Triad Chapter of CBS (Carolina Butterfly Society) will hold a butterfly walk at Pat Holder’s native plant home butterfly garden in Asheboro, North Carolina. There will be safe parking on the side of the country road as well as a little parking in Pat’s driveway.
If you would like to attend, please contact Pat Holder at the email address below to RSVP and obtain her address (which, for privacy and security concerns, is not published here).

Super-Sod Farm and Surrounding Area – (Orangeburg, SC)
2024-06-15 10:00 - 15:00 | Super-Sod Farm, 3086 Five Chop Road, Orangeburg, SC, 29115, United States
The Carolina Butterfly Society Midlands Chapter will explore areas around and possibly inside the Super-Sod Farm in Orangeburg, South Carolina. 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 33.45936, -80.74331.
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)
2024-07-06 09:00 - 15:00 | Silver Bluff Audubon Sanctuary, 4542 Silver Bluff Road, Jackson, SC, 29831, United States
On Saturday, July 6, 2024, 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. The street address is 4542 Silver Bluff Road, Jackson, SC 29831. 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.

NABA Count – Congaree National Park (Hopkins, SC)
2024-07-20 09:00 - 15:00 | Congaree National Park, 100 National Park Rd, Hopkins, SC, 29061
On Saturday, July 20, 2024, 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-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.

Gum Swamp Road (Jackson, SC)
2024-08-04 09:00 - 15:00 | Kathwood Lakes (meeting location for Gum Swamp Road), 33.33728. -81.84345
This is a CBS Midlands Chapter outing to areas near Aiken, South Carolina, to look for the Texan Crescent, Tawny Emperor, Hackberry Emperor and other summer butterflies. Please note that this event is on Sunday, where 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). The gate to the lakes (see below for the location) will be open at dawn if you want to do some birding before our butterfly walk.
We will meet 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.

Southern 8ths Farm (Chesterfield, SC)
2024-08-10 09:00 - 15:00 | Southern 8ths Farm Learning Center, 34.79584, -80.15313
This is a full CBS field trip that will be to a new location for us in northeast South Carolina, almost to the state line with North Carolina. We will meet our host, Brad Turley, at the GPS coordinates listed below at 9:00 AM.
Southern 8ths is located in an area of convergence, where the Piedmont & Coastal Plain meet along the state line of North and South Carolina. This land is rich in American and natural history and has a history of horses being present since the late 18th century. The geophysical nature of these 1,400 acres of preserved land has encouraged the growth of rolling pastures and fields, diverse upland and bottom land hardwood forests and planted pine stands. The waters of Thompson Creek and its tributaries drop over shale bases to join the Great Pee Dee River and flow to the Atlantic. This land is home to reclaimed grass prairies full of insects and dappled sunlit woodland trails, offering respite to birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and humans. This “corridor of green” is a work-in-progress, and it is teaching us about its future role in the survival of humankind and animal-kind. Per Tom Austin, the organizer for this trip, and referring to the map below, the proposed “schedule” is as follows:
9:00 – 9:30 AM
Meet at the Learning Center (GPS coordinates 34.79584, -80.15313), located behind the horse barns at 305 Lucious Davis Road for welcome, introductions, to use restrooms and fill up on water. On the map, this is the reddish area between Points 5 and 2. The driveway entrance to the property is located at GPS Coordinates 34.79965, -80.15423 on the south side of Lucious Davis Road.
9:30 – 10:30 AM
Head out via carpool to the Fireworks East/West and Red Banks Prairies, our two most diverse Southeastern grasslands. They total over 15 acres and include a pond and some woods and should be loaded with butterflies. Folks will have plenty to explore there, and some shade if they need it. This is the cleared area around Point 1 on the map.
10:30 to 12 noon
Walk along a wooded trail through mixed upland hardwoods and pines, cross a small creek, and head to Frances’ Field, a smaller prairie with thinner, drier soils and lots of natives, and then to BJ’s Pond, a mature wooded pond with some sunnier openings. The walk is west of Point 1 to the small prairie, pond and back.
12:30 – 1:30 PM
Carpool back to cool off at the Learning Center for a brown-bag lunch-and-learn orientation / PowerPoint about Carolina Wildlands.
1:30 – 3:00 PM
If people are up for it, we could walk from the Learning Center on trails in the shadier alluvial forest along Thompson Creek, passing several managed grasslands, before heading home. This is the floodplain area west of Point 2 on the map.
Noted nectar plants: Mountain Mint, Wild Bergamot, Roughleaf Sunflower, Blazing Star, Common Milkweed, Butterfly Weed, Brazilian Vervain, Ironweeds, Maryland Golden Aster, Cottony Goldenaster, Common Yellow Thistle, Bull Thistle, Late Boneset, Blue Lobelia, Black Eyed Susan, and 7 species of Goldenrod. (I think we’ll be transitioning between the bloom times of most of these.)
I think this walk is going to be nectar driven from what I recall about the property from late fall and the season. Sounds like we’ll be looking for Vervains, Mountain-Mint, and any Sunflowers and Blazing-stars coming into bloom. Should be Ironweed and Lobelia in the wetter areas too. Hopefully there’s some Prunella around too.
It is recommended that you bring additional snacks, food, and beverages as during the walks we will be away from public facilities. Wearing sturdy walking or hiking shoes is recommended along with long sleeves and 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 items you may need (camera, binoculars, field guides, etc.).
The closest cities to Southern 8ths Farm that have a selection of accommodations are 1) Cheraw, SC, about a 30 minute drive and 2) Rockingham, NC, about a 40 minute drive.
Tom Austin, who can be reached at the email address listed below, made the arrangements for this field trip. Please either contact Tom or register on the CBS website if you plan on attending.

Marie Poteat’s Property (Jamestown, NC)
2024-08-17 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 17 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.
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, 8-17-24, 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!

SI Group Hundred Acre Woods – Goatweed Leafwing (Orangeburg, SC)
2024-09-07 10:00 - 15:00 | SI Group, 725 Cannon Bridge Road, Orangeburg, SC, 29115, United States
On Saturday, September 7, 2024, 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.
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.

NABA Count – Congaree National Park (Hopkins, SC)
2024-09-14 09:00 - 15:00 | Congaree National Park, 100 National Park Rd, Hopkins, SC, 29061
On Saturday, September 14, 2024, the Midlands Chapter of CBS (Carolina Butterfly Society) will participate in a NABA (North American Butterfly Association) seasonal 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.

Triad Chapter Coordinator's Home Pollinator Garden (Forsyth County)
2024-09-14 10:00 - 12:00 | Bernyce & Howard’s Home Pollinator Garden, 4123 Willmeade Drive, Winston-Salem, NC, 27127, United States
The Triad Chapter of CBS will hold a butterfly walk on Saturday, September 14 to the Triad Chapter coordinator’s home pollinator garden in Winston-Salem, NC. Please bring water, and, if you have them, a butterfly field guide, binoculars and a camera.
If you want to join in on this butterfly walk, you must register, either online at the CBS website or RSVP to Bernyce Pritchard, the walk organizer, at the email address below.

Bio Way Farm & Tall Pines WMA (Ware Shoals & Cleveland, SC)
2024-09-21 09:00 - 2024-09-22 15:00 | Bio Way Farm, 197 Bio Way, Ware Shoals, SC, 29692, United States
Saturday September 21, 2024 – Bio Way Farm
We will meet at Bio Way Farm at 9:00 AM and explore until around 3:00 PM. The address is 197 Bio Way, Ware Shoals, SC 29692 (or GPS coordinates 34.46988, -82.25832). The GPS coordinates for the driveway entrance on Bio Way are 34.47029, -82.25867.
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. Walking difficulty level is easy to moderate. There is a restroom and drinking water at our meeting location. Gas and food are nearby. There is no cost.
Additional information about Bio Way Farm can be found at: https://www.biowayfarm.com
Sunday September 22, 2024 – Tall Pines WMA (Wildlife Management Area)
We will meet at the parking area at 10:00 AM and explore until around 3:00 PM. The address is 556-638 Moody Bridge Rd, Cleveland, SC 29635 (or GPS coordinates 35.06417, -82.56880).
Tall Pines WMA is a 1,757-acre SCDNR property. We will walk the gated roads which contain a mix of habitats. There is also a SC Native Plant Society owned site nearby which we will have the option to explore. Walking difficulty level should be easy to moderate but some recent reviews state that the trails are not well marked and, in some cases, overgrown and with trees down. There does not appear to be a restroom onsite. Gas and food are nearby. There is no cost.
Additional information about Tall Pines WMA can be found at: https://www2.dnr.sc.gov/managedlands/managedland/managedland/766 or https://www.dnr.sc.gov/news/2019/feb/feb15_tallpines.php
Target Species – 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, while at Bio Way Farm, perhaps we can fill in some of the species “holes” on the range maps. Use the link below to access the Bio Way iNaturalist page to view past sightings. Possible butterflies at Tall Pines WMA in Greenville County are the Diana Fritillary and other Piedmont and Mountain species.
https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/bio-way-farm-ware-shoals-sc
It is recommended that you bring additional snacks, food, and beverages as during the walks we will be away from public facilities. Wearing sturdy walking or hiking shoes is recommended along with long sleeves and 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.).
There are many accommodation options in the Greenville, SC area, which is located about midway between the 2 locations we will be exploring. For reference, Bio Way Farm in Laurens County is about 45 to 50 minutes to the south of central Greenville whereas Tall Pines WMA in Greenville County is about 40 to 45 minutes to the north of central Greenville.
Chris Sermons, who can be reached at the email address listed below, is the leader for these field trips. Please either contact Chris or register on the CBS website if you plan on attending.

Mount Mitchell SP, Commissary Road Trail (Burnsville, NC)
2024-09-28 11:00 - 15:00 | Mount Mitchell SP Meeting Location in Asheville, 96 Holland Street, Asheville, NC, 28801, United States
This will be the first field trip for the newly created Western NC Chapter!
Attendees will meet at 11:00 am at 96 Holland Street, Asheville, 28801 (GPS coordinates 35.60645, -82.55455) and carpool to the Tourist Information Center at Mount Mitchell State Park (MOMI). The drive from Asheville to MOMI takes about an hour, mostly on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Carpooling is important since parking will be tight at this building during what is expected to be peak leaf season.
Our target species is the Green Comma. This is the best time and only reliable place to find them in North Carolina. We will explore along the Commissary Road Trail, which is an easy, graveled trail that starts near the back of the Tourist Information Center. Bathrooms are available at this building.
If you’re traveling from out of town and plan on staying overnight, make your hotel reservations early, again due to the probable demand during peak leaf season. If needed, the rain date will be Sunday, September 29.
Our trip leader is Heather Rayburn, who can be reached at the email address listed below. Please either contact Heather or register on the CBS website if you plan on attending.

CANCELLED - Pre-Symposium Walk - Mason Farm Biological Reserve (Chapel Hill, NC)
2024-10-04 13:00 - 16:00 | Mason Farm Biological Reserve Trailhead, 35.89233, -79.01647
CANCELLED – Due to damage, flooding and road closures from hurricane Helene, the CBS Board has decided to cancel the October 5 symposium and this walk that was scheduled for Friday, October 4.
LOCATION CHANGE (due to hunting at previous venue)
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 parking lot at Mason Farm Biological Reserve trailhead. There is no street address, but the GPS coordinates are 35.89233, -79.01647. The walking loop is about 2 miles or so and is flat. The trail winds through several habitats including hardwood forest, mixed pine forest, open fields, and has a nice boardwalk section through a wetland. Approximately 60+ species of butterflies have been tallied here over the years and seasons. Of course, we will not have that diversity in October, but it’s still a nice walk. Jeff Pippen and Dave and Marty Kastner will lead.
No restrooms are available on the property. Please bring water, snacks (or a late lunch), binoculars, cameras and field guides. Sunscreen, bug spray, long pants and close-toed shoes are highly recommended.
Directions – From the north, drive to Finley Golf Course Road in Chapel Hill. Drive around the Finley Golf Club clubhouse and parking lot and past the driving range. Directly after the driving range at the power lines, take the right fork onto Mason Farm Acc Road (which passes under the power lines). After about 0.38 miles, turn to the right on the gravel access road to the creek, then drive over the concrete ford (which always has at least some water flowing over it, but should be passable). The trailhead parking lot is just to the south of the creek.
Please use the symposium registration form if you are attending the symposium and plan to participate. If you are NOT attending the symposium, you can register for this walk online at the CBS website or RSVP to Marty Kastner at the email address below.

CANCELLED - 2024 Symposium – Stan Adams Training Facility (Chapel Hill, NC)
2024-10-05 09:30 - 16:00 | Stan Adams Training Center, 2832 Big Woods Rd, Chapel Hill, NC, 27517-7657, United States
CANCELLED – Due to damage, flooding and road closures from hurricane Helene, the CBS Board has decided to cancel the symposium that was scheduled for Saturday, October 5.
Come and join us for the Carolina Butterfly Society 2024 Symposium that will be held on Saturday, October 5 at the Stanford M. Adams Training Facility in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Check-in will be from 9:00 am to 9:30 am. The cost to attend is $20.00 per person, which includes lunch, drinks and snacks. Please return your registration, lunch form (available using the Symposium Registration & Lunch Form 2024 link below) and payment so we receive them by September 25.
Featured Presentations
“My Experiences as a Relatively and Perpetually New Butterflier, or How to take up Butterflying without feeling overwhelmed and intimidated” – Alison Smith, CBS Past-President and Current Secretary
“Those Skippers and Other Hard to Identify Butterflies” – Harry LeGrand – Co-Author of Butterflies of North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and Georgia
“Monarchs and Migration in North Carolina” – Brian Bockhahn – North Carolina State Parks
“(Mostly) Native Pollinator Gardens for Butterflies” – Debbie Roos – Agriculture Agent of the Chatham County Center of North Carolina Cooperative Extension
Walk – Tour of the “Pollinator Paradise” Garden in Pittsboro, NC, led by Debbie Roos. Directions can be obtained using the Symposium and Walk Directions 2024 link below. Hard copies will also be available at the symposium.
Additional Optional Opportunity – Visit Rachel’s Native Plants nursery in Pittsboro, NC. Directions can be obtained using the Symposium and Walk Directions 2024 link below. Hard copies will also be available at the symposium.

Symposium Registration and Lunch Form – Either click on or copy and paste the following link into your browser of choice – Symposium Registration & Lunch Form 2024

Directions
Symposium – Stanford M. Adams Training Facility
2832 Big Woods Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27517-7657
> 35.77721, -79.04465 = GPS Coordinates for driveway entrance at Jordan Lake Educational State Forest
> 35.77419, -79.04146 = GPS Coordinates for Stanford M. Adams Training Facility parking lot
— From US Hwy 64, travel north on Big Woods Road for 2.8 miles to the entrance of Jordan Lake Educational State Forest.
— Turn right (east) into the State Forest and follow the dirt road for 0.3 miles. The road will end at the parking lot for Stanford M. Adams Training Facility.
Symposium Walks – Either click on or copy and paste the following link into your browser of choice – Symposium and Walk Directions 2024

Lodging can be found in Chapel Hill and Apex, NC.

Additional Butterfly Walks have also been planned for Friday, October 4, from 1:00 pm until 4:00 pm at Transis Camp Road, Jordan Lake Game Land in Chapel Hill, NC, and Sunday, October 6, from 9:30 am until 2:00/3:00 pm at Jordan Lake Tailrace and Deep River State Natural Area in Moncure, NC. Please refer to the Events Calendar on these specific dates for full details. Directions can be obtained using the Symposium and Walk Directions 2024 link above. Hard copies will also be available at the symposium.
Make plans now to bring a friend and join us.

CANCELLED - Post-Symposium Walk - Jordan Lake Tailrace and Deep River State Natural Area (Moncure, NC)
2024-10-06 09:30 - 15:00 | Jordan Lake Tailrace, 2060 Jordan Dam Road, Moncure, NC, 27559, United States
CANCELLED – Due to damage, flooding and road closures from hurricane Helene, the CBS Board has decided to cancel the October 5 symposium and this walk that was scheduled for Sunday, October 6.
This is a post-symposium butterfly walk but anyone is welcome whether they plan on attending the symposium or not.
We will meet at the Jordan Lake Tailrace. The address is 2060 Jordan Dam Road, Moncure, NC 27559 (or GPS coordinates 35.65231, -79.06748). We will walk around the fields and outflow area to look for butterflies. Going will be slow, with level to moderate terrain, some mowed field edges or walking through grassy fields. Be prepared for some exploring. Brian Bockhahn will lead.
Restrooms are available on the property. Please bring water, lunch, binoculars, cameras and field guides. Sunscreen, bug spray, a hat, long pants and close-toed shoes are highly recommended.
After 45 minutes or so, we’ll drive 3 miles, about 6 minutes away, to a relatively new section of Deep River State Natural Area. This area has not been visited much, so we really don’t know what to expect; most sightings will be new for the property. The trailhead is behind the Moncure Community Health Center. The address is 7228 Moncure Pittsboro Road, Moncure, NC 27559 (or GPS coordinates 35.63146, -79.09675). We will hike a series of old roads, first through a recently logged area, around an old home site and pond, then down into the rich floodplain and an old rock quarry along the Deep River. The terrain will not be level, and the trail is not maintained.
Please use the symposium registration form if you are attending the symposium and plan to participate. If you are NOT attending the symposium, you can register for this walk online at the CBS website or RSVP to Brian Bockhahn at the email address below.

Wateree River HP & WMA (Eastover, near Columbia, SC)
2024-10-12 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 Saturday, October 12, 2024, 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. 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.

Reynolda Gardens 2024 (Winston-Salem, NC)
2024-10-19 10:00 - 12:00 | Reynolda Gardens, 100 Reynolda Village, Winston-Salem, NC, 27106, United States
On Saturday, October 19, 2024, 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.

Tillman Sand Ridge HP & WMA (Jasper Co., SC)
2024-11-09 10:00 - 15:00 | Tillman Sand Ridge HP & WMA Kiosk, 32.499295, -81.1999621
Tillman Sand Ridge Heritage Preserve and Wildlife Management Area is a preserve of about 2 square miles in the Outer Coastal Plain of western Jasper County, adjacent to the Savannah River. It was established to protect one of the northernmost populations of Florida gopher tortoises, eastern diamondback rattlesnakes, and many rare plant species. The preserve has examples of two important ecosystems, longleaf pine savanna and Outer Coastal Plain floodplain forest.
Directions: From the little village of Tillman (at the junction of Highways 336 and 321) turn onto Sand Hills Road. Continue on Sand Hills Road to the kiosk at a small parking area just off the left side of the road. GPS coordinates for the kiosk are 32.499295, -81.1999621.
There are no organized hunts at this location, but all participants should wear orange for the walk. Do not walk on any of the gopher tortoise mounds. There are no facilities at this site.
For those who need to stay overnight, hotels are available in Hardeeville.
Alison Smith will lead. Contact her at sweetgrassess@gmail.com if you plan on participating.

Webb Wildlife Center WMA (Hampton Co., SC)
2024-11-10 10:00 - 15:00 | Webb Wildlife Center WMA, 32.59086, -81.31240
The Webb Wildlife Center, owned and operated by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, is a management and research facility designed to demonstrate multiple-use wildlife and timber management. Meet in front of the WMA offices/visitor center. The restrooms are inside the visitor center which is closed on weekends.
Directions: From Columbia take Highway 321 South to Garnett. In Garnett, the road will fork, stay right on Hwy 119, turn right onto Augusta Stagecoach Road (S-20) (Across from Garnett Post Office), cross railroad tracks, go approximately 2.6 miles to James W. Webb Wildlife Management Area Entrance on the left and follow it (1.5 miles) to the office. GPS coordinates are 32.59086, -81.31240
Alison Smith will lead. Contact her at sweetgrassess@gmail.com if you plan on participating.

Wateree River HP & WMA (Eastover, near Columbia, SC)
2025-03-01 10:00 - 15:00 | Wateree River HP & WMA, 15001 Goodwill Road, Eastover, SC, 29044, United States
DATE CHANGE – Originally Saturday, March 8, 2025
The Carolina Butterfly Society Midlands Chapter will hold a butterfly walk on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at the 3,674-acre Wateree River Heritage Preserve and Wildlife Management Area. We will be looking for early-season butterflies, as well as a possible over-wintering Mourning Cloak or Southern Dogface. We will drive to various areas, walk some of the trails and quite possibly “bushwhack” through fields. 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 and Shealy’s Pond HPs (Brown Elfin - Lexington Co., SC)
2025-03-08 10:00 - 15:00 | Peachtree Rock HP (back entrance), 33.8334, -81.2012
DATE CHANGE – Originally Saturday, March 1, 2025
The Carolina Butterfly Society Midlands Chapter will hold a butterfly walk on Saturday, March 8, 2025, at the 460-acre Peachtree Rock Heritage Preserve and, if time permits, Shealy’s Pond Heritage Preserve. Our target species at Peachtree Rock is the Brown Elfin, but we will also be looking for other early-season butterflies as well.
Meet in the parking area next to Bethel United Methodist Church. The church address is 811 Peachtree Rock Road, Lexington, SC, and the GPS coordinates are 33.8334, -81.2012.
There are no facilities at this site, but gas stations and restaurants are nearby. 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.

Coosawhatchie HP & WMA (Frosted Elfin - Yemassee, SC)
2025-03-16 10:00 - 15:00 | Coosawhatchie HP & WMA, 32.6916, -80.9193
The Carolina Butterfly Society Midlands Chapter will hold a butterfly walk on Sunday, March 16, 2025, at the 10,879-acre Coosawhatchie Heritage Preserve and Wildlife Management Area. We will look for lupine and Baptisia tinctoria (horsefly weed) and a new population of Frosted Elfin, as well as other early-season butterflies. The walking is mostly on level ground and easy.
Meet at the Pocotaligo Road kiosk that is located about a quarter mile into the property. The property entrance on Pocotaligo Road is located at GPS coordinates 32.6916, -80.9193. Directions from I-95, take SC-68 West in Yemassee, exit#38. Turn onto Simmons Road and follow it to Pocotaligo Road.
No restrooms are available on the property. Refer to the SCDNR website link below for additional information and a map of the property. Either register on the CBS website (using the “Register” link above) or RSVP to our leader, Tom Austin, 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.

Southern 8ths Farm (Chesterfield, SC)
2025-03-22 10:00 - 16:30 | Southern 8ths Farm Learning Center, 34.79584, -80.15313
On Saturday, March 22, 2025, there will be a joint field trip between CBS (Carolina Butterfly Society) and SCAN (South Carolina Association of Naturalists). The trip leader for both groups will be Tom Austin, President of CBS and Database Manager for SCAN, and staff from Southern 8ths Farm. Southern 8ths Farm staff will escort us throughout the property. Southern 8ths Farm is a private conservation property and the home of the Carolina Wildlands Foundation. Southern 8ths Farm is located on the SC/NC border primarily in Chesterfield County, SC with a portion of the property extending into Anson County, NC. The property sits on Thompson Creek in an ecoregional and geological boundary straddling the fall line just above the Sandhills. This unique geology has birthed a rich diversity of native plant communities and Coastal Wildlands Foundation has done extensive work to restore prairie habitat across the property. CBS is working with Southern 8ths Farm to help them create an introductory field guide on their butterfly diversity for their outreach and education programs.
Target Species include: Common Sootywing, Falcate Orangetip, Orange Sulphur, Clouded Sulphur, Harvester, and Southern Skipperling. CBS is working with Southern 8ths Farm to catalogue and document as many butterfly species as we can on the property. So, an emphasis for the day will be placed on adding news species to the site’s biodiversity list in addition to surveys for target species.
Learn More about Southern 8ths Farm and the Carolina Wildlands Foundation at the website listed below. A video about Thompson Creek and the geology of the region can be viewed at: https://vimeo.com/1002041941
There are restrooms on site. On-site camping is permitted. There are 10 RV pads available on site with power hook-ups (no wastewater) and the ability for on-site camping. There are two guest rooms available at Southern 8ths Farm, which can be rented for $149/night. (Contact Southern 8ths Farm directly to reserve.) The nearest hotels are 20-30 miles away in Cheraw SC, Rockingham NC, and Monroe NC.
As previously stated, Tom Austin will lead. Either register on the CBS website (using the “Register” link above) or RSVP to Tom 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.
Participants will need to sign a waiver with Carolina Wildlands Foundation in order to participate.

Southern 8ths Farm & Cheraw SP (Chesterfield Co., SC)
2025-03-23 10:00 - 15:00 | Southern 8ths New Property, 34.6604, -79.8907
On Sunday, March 23, 2025, tentative plans are for Tom Austin to lead a second-day SCAN trip to a new Southern 8ths property from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Brad Turley, the Southern 8ths Farm owner, is in the process of buying land in Chesterfield County, adjacent to Cheraw State Park, located roughly at GPS coordinates 34.6604, -79.8907. He is interested in getting some eyes on that property while we’re in the area. A specific meeting location will be provided later.
Afterwards, those who wish can head over to Cheraw State Park in Patrick, SC on Society Hill Road. The GPS coordinates for the meeting location are 34.6196, -79.9452. The target species are Brown Elfin, Henry’s Elfin, Hessel’s Hairstreak and Great Purple Hairstreak. There is also an option, if time permits and there is interest, to go to Carolina Sandhills NWR to look for Frosted Elfin. Walking is off trail and easy.
There are no restroom facilities. Tom Austin will lead the Southern 8ths walk and Dave and Marty Kastner will lead the Cheraw State Park walk and, if we go, Carolina Sandhills NWR walk. Either register on the CBS website (using the “Register” link above) or RSVP to Tom or Marty at one of the email addresses below if you plan to participate. Please bring water, lunch, binoculars, cameras and field guides. For any of these walks, sunscreen, bug spray, long pants and close-toed shoes are highly recommended.

DATE CHANGE - Western North Carolina (River Road, Hot Springs, NC)
2025-03-28 09:30 - 14:00 | Broadwing Farm, 20 Berry Wills Road, Hot Springs, NC, 28743, United States
DATE CHANGE – Due to forecasted weather, the date for this walk has been changed to Friday, March 28, 2025 (from Saturday, March 29, 2025).
The Carolina Butterfly Society Western NC Chapter will hold a butterfly walk on Friday, March 28, 2025, hiking on River Road along the French Broad River outside of Hot Springs, NC. We will be looking for the Olympia Marble and other early butterflies. This area was hard hit by Hurricane Helene, so we’re not sure what we will find. We’ll caravan and get out of the cars to explore different sections on foot.
Meet at Broadwing Farm, 20 Berry Wills Road, Hot Springs, NC. Park in front of the “event venue” building that’s located at 165 Broadwing Farm Lane, Hot Springs, NC (GPS coordinates 35.9008, -82.8291). Use the following link, https://www.broadwingfarmcabins.com/the-farm/directions/ for additional information and specific directions from nearby cities.
Walking is easy to moderate. There’s a composting toilet available where we stop for lunch. Pete Dixon will lead. Either register on the CBS website (using the “Register” link above) or RSVP to Pete 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.

Fort Macon SP, Croatan NF, Holly Shelter Game Land (NC)
2025-04-12 10:00 - 2025-04-13 16:00 | Fort Macon SP Coastal Education Center, 34.6977, -76.6787
This full Carolina Butterfly Society 2-day field trip will be held in eastern North Carolina where we plan on visiting three different locations. Our target butterfly species varies by location and are listed below. The leader is Harry LeGrand and possibly Lori Arent.
Saturday, April 12, 2025: Meet at Fort Macon State Park, at the Coastal Education Center parking lot at the end of East Fort Macon Rd, Atlantic Beach, NC (GPS coordinates 34.6977, -76.6787). Meet at 10:00 am. Target species is Crystal Skipper, which should be easy; not many other species are present at this time of year here; Henry’s Elfin (unlikely). Probably eat lunch at the visitor center, outside on benches. Restrooms are available inside the visitor center. (They are not available in Croatan, so best to eat and use the restroom here.)
After lunch, we will travel to several sites in Croatan National Forest, such as Millis Road in Carteret County, and then much farther north to Little Road in Craven County. Millis Road and Little Road are gravel but should be fine for about all vehicles.
Target species are Carolina Roadside-Skipper, Lace-winged Roadside-Skipper, Intricate Satyr, and Holly Azure. Little field work occurs in the forest in spring, and few flowers are blooming then, so we have little previous data here for April. Thus, expectations are low but hopes are high!
Sunday, April 13, 2025: Holly Shelter Game Land. Meet at the eastern end of the Topsail Baptist Church parking lot, closest to the entrance road to the game land, on US 17 (GPS coordinates 34.4099, -77.6571). Meet at 10:00 am. This is about 4 miles northeast of Hampstead. Note that there is another church immediately to the southwest, on the same side (north) of the highway. Obviously, don’t park there; park at the church lot at Topsail church where you can literally see the entrance road to the game land. As this is a Sunday, there likely will be some churchgoers parking in the lot closer to the church anyway.
It may well be a bit too early and “dewy”/cool to start butterflying, so be prepared to look for birds such as Red-cockaded Woodpecker and Bachman’s Sparrow, and look for wildflowers and carnivorous plants, until things warm up. We will carpool here, as the gravel/dirt roads are usually fine for most vehicles but occasionally there are sandy places or wet spots in the road.
Target species (all formerly regular but now may be difficult) are Frosted Elfin, Yucca Giant-Skipper, Reversed Roadside-Skipper, Dusky Roadside-Skipper. Other targets are Dusted Skipper, Holly Azure. It might be slightly early for Little Metalmark, which is regular by late April. We will have lunch in the field. There are no restrooms here (or in Croatan). The gate is “always” open in April but is closed from May to about Labor Day; this helps deter Venus Flytrap poaching. So, yes, we may well look for flytraps here, but they won’t be in bloom.
There are many motels in Jacksonville, which is a good midway point between these two trips. Of course, people may want lodging the day before in the Morehead City or Havelock areas, or the Wilmington area after Holly Shelter.
As stated previously, Harry LeGrand will lead. Either register on the CBS website (using the “Register” link above) or RSVP to Harry 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.
