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Sumter National Forest, Enoree District – Harvester (Clinton, SC)

POSTPONED (originally scheduled for April 16)

Due to predicted rain at or near 100%, this walk, originally scheduled for Saturday, April 16, 2022, has been POSTPONED and rescheduled for Sunday, April 24, 2022. The meeting time and place will be the same as listed below

On Sunday, April 24, 2022, the Midlands Chapter of CBS (Carolina Butterfly Society) will hold a butterfly walk at the Sumter National Forest, Enoree District, near Clinton, South Carolina, to look for the Harvester (found last year) and other early butterflies. There will be some driving on unpaved roads to get to locations of interest.

Meet at the BP Gas Station, 3536 Whitmire Highway, Clinton, SC 29325 (GPS coordinates 34.43873, -81.76258). The BP station is just to the southwest of I-26 at exit 60 (which is for Highway 66). Although there is a restroom at the BP station, it has been suggested we NOT use it unless something has been purchased. If traveling on westbound I-26 (heading northwest from the southeast), there is a rest stop approximately 1.4 miles before reaching exit 60.

Refer to the SCNFS (South Carolina National Forest Service) website link below for additional information about and maps of the Sumter National Forest Enoree District. Please RSVP to Marty Kastner at the email address below if you plan to participate.

Manchester State Forest – Frosted Elfin (Wedgefield, SC)

TIME CHANGE – Start moved back to 10:30am

On Saturday, April 2, 2022, the Midlands Chapter of CBS (Carolina Butterfly Society) will hold a butterfly walk at Manchester State Forest near Wedgefield, South Carolina, to look for lupine, the Frosted Elfin, and other early butterflies. There will be a fair amount of driving, mostly on unpaved roads, to get to locations of interest.

Meet at St Marks Episcopal Church, 6205 Camp Mac Boykin Road, Pinewood, SC 29125. The church is located at the junction of Camp Mac Boykin Road (Highway 51) and St Marks Church Road (GPS coordinates 33.74781, -80.15217).

Refer to the SCFC (South Carolina Forestry Commission) website link below for additional information about and maps of Manchester State Forest. A recent trailmap can be accessed and downloaded directly (without going through the SCFC website) at:

https://www.scfc.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/trailmap-manchester.pdf

Please RSVP to Dennis Forsythe at the email address below or Marty Kastner at kastners@aol.com if you plan to participate.

Wateree River HP & WMA – Henry’s Elfin (Eastover, near Columbia, SC)

DATE CHANGED TO SUNDAY, MARCH 20, 2022

Due to a weather forecast for heavy overnight rains on Friday extending into the morning of Saturday, March 19, 2022, this walk has been RESCHEDULED to Sunday, March 20, 2022.  We will meet at the same location listed below but, due to cooler temperatures, will delay starting by 1/2 hour, changing the start time from 10:00am to 10:30am. Hope to see you there.

On Sunday, March 20, 2022, the Midlands Chapter of CBS (Carolina Butterfly Society) will hold a butterfly walk at Wateree River Heritage Preserve and Wildlife Management Area near Columbia, South Carolina, to look for Henry’s Elfin and other early season butterflies. We will drive to various areas and walk some of the trails.

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.

Reedy Fork Trail – Zebra Swallowtail (Greensboro, NC)

On Saturday, April 9, 2022, the Triad Chapter of CBS (Carolina Butterfly Society) will hold a butterfly walk at Reedy Fork Trail near Greensboro, North Carolina, to look for the Zebra Swallowtail and other early butterflies. The Reedy Fork Trail parallels the Reedy Fork Creek that flows into back waters of Lake Townsend. You will also find signs of deer, raccoon, and beaver on this heavily wooded trail, making it an excellent pick for a moderate hike (or for another day, a scenic bike ride). The total length of the trail is about 3.5 miles. Refer to the website below for a map and additional information.

Meet at the trailhead parking area, GPS coordinates 36.17361, -79.83784, located on the east side of Lake Brandt Road just to the north of Lake Brandt Marina and the dam. Please RSVP to Anne Carlson at the email address below if you plan to participate.

Reedy Fork Trail – Falcate Orangetip (Greensboro, NC)

On Saturday, March 19, 2022, the Triad Chapter of CBS (Carolina Butterfly Society) will hold a butterfly walk at Reedy Fork Trail near Greensboro, North Carolina, to look for the Falcate Orangetip and other early butterflies. The Reedy Fork Trail parallels the Reedy Fork Creek that flows into back waters of Lake Townsend. You will also find signs of deer, raccoon, and beaver on this heavily wooded trail, making it an excellent pick for a moderate hike (or for another day, a scenic bike ride). The total length of the trail is about 3.5 miles. Refer to the website below for a map and additional information.

Meet at the trailhead parking area, GPS coordinates 36.17361, -79.83784, located on the east side of Lake Brandt Road just to the north of Lake Brandt Marina and the dam. Please RSVP to Anne Carlson at the email address below if you plan to participate.

Wateree River HP & WMA – Southern Dogface (Eastover, near Columbia, SC)

=== 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.

South Tibwin Trail – Francis Marion NF (near Charleston, SC)

The first CBS butterfly walk of the year will be held on March 5 at South Tibwin Trail in the Francis Marion National Forest. Target species will be the Falcate Orangetip. South Tibwin (both the trail and a road) is directly off Highway 17 approximately 3 miles southwest of McClellanville, South Carolina. The entrance is well marked by a forest service sign. There is a parking area, GPS coordinates 33.07048, -79.52006, just off the highway. The entrance to the trail is gated so the entire area must be explored on foot. There are no restroom facilities on site. The terrain is fairly even and consists mostly of dirt roads or mowed paths. Full length of the trail(s) is approximately 5 miles and includes several loops. Refer to the website below for a map and additional information. There are a variety of habitats – marsh, pine forests and fields. Bring hydration, insect repellant, binoculars, cameras and lunch. Contact Alison Smith at the email address below if you plan on attending.

Waterfowl Impoundment Areas in NC

This trip was previously scheduled on Saturday, August 7.

On Sunday, August 29, we hope to explore the Flat River Waterfowl Impoundment (5094 Old Oxford Road, Durham, NC 27712) from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm and, time permitting and the heat situation, the Brickhouse Road Waterfowl Impoundments (5416 Brickhouse Road, Bahama, NC 27503) after 12:00 pm. These beautiful natural areas are located close together and are highly recommended by Harry LeGrand and Brian Bockhahn as some of the best sites in the Triangle for seeing butterflies.

Please bring your binoculars, camera, field guides, lunch, snacks and water. Be prepared to use the “green latrine” because these locations are out in the boondocks and bathroom facilities are not available. Masks are NOT required for this field trip and participants can decide how much “social distance” they feel comfortable with, (including at the meeting site for the Sunday field trip). Those interested in attending should contact Marti Kane and let her know that you plan on coming this event.

Everyone is being asked to meet in the parking area for the Flat River Waterfowl Impoundment at 9:00 am. The parking area is located on the Old Oxford Road between the turn off for Horton Grove NP (Jock Road) and the turn off for the Brickhouse Road Waterfowl Impoundments. The parking lot is large so it should be an adequate meeting spot. For those who use GPS, the coordinates are 36.1278, -78.832815.

Please contact Marti Kane for more details.

Lowcountry – Francis Marion NF

On Saturday, May 15, there will be a walk in the Francis Marion National Forest near Huger, South Carolina. The walk will start at 10:00 AM and everyone should meet at the intersection of Dog Swamp Road (dirt road) and 3047 Steed Creek Road. The GPS coordinates of the meeting place are 33.074667, -79.736444 (or 33°04’28.8″N 79°44’11.2″W). Google Maps indicates this location is 55 minutes or 38 miles from the Coburg Cow sign in Charleston.

Jock Stender will lead and Alison Smith will co-lead.

Please either register for this walk on the CBS website or contact the trip leader(s) so he/she will know you are coming. It is always wise to pack a portable lunch, snacks and plenty of water. Long pants and close-toed shoes are recommended. Bring your camera, binoculars, field guide, sunscreen and bug spray.

CANCELLED – Timmerman Trail of the Cayce Riverwalk

CANCELLED

Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and out of an abundance of caution, this walk has been CANCELLED.

This walk will begin at 11:00 (to allow the sun to get up over the trees) and end between 3:00 and 4:00.  The GPS coordinates on their website is for a different location than where we will be exploring.  The GPS coordinates for where we will meet are 33.934482, -81.037010.  To get there, take I-77 to exit 2 and exit onto 12th Street Extension heading north.  Turn right onto Fort Congaree Trail.  Go straight and park on the side of the road just before the gate.  There are restrooms at the Cayce Tennis Center, but it is currently not known if they will be opened.  Much of the Timmerman Trail is paved, but we will be walking a dirt road (which is Old State Road). On 3/12/20, Marty and Dave Kastner saw 25 Falcate Orangetip butterflies, mostly males, along with 10 other species.

Marty and Dave Kastner will lead.  Please register on the CBS website or contact Marty if you are coming.  kastners@aol.com