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.