Tag Archives: No amenities

CANCELLED – Gum Swamp Road

CANCELLED

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

This is in Jackson, South Carolina near Aiken.  Our target species are Texan Crescent and Tawny and Hackberry Emperors. We will meet at the Kathwood Lakes parking area 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 just before the dirt road portion of Silver Bluff Road and approximately 200 yards after crossing the railroad tracks coming south on Silver Bluff Road.  Kathwood Lakes is the name Google Maps uses for the bodies of water at this location.  The GPS coordinates are 33.337279, -81.843453.  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.  John Demko will lead.  leveljohn7@gmail.com

Pre-Symposium Walk – Santee Coastal Reserve WMA

Santee Coastal Reserve Wildlife Management Area
220 Santee Gun Club Road
McClellanville, SC 29458
GPS Coordinates: 33.147765, -79.396188

Meeting Location
Lily Pond Baptist Church
734 South Santee Road
McClellanville, SC 29458
GPS Coordinates: 33.152602, -79.410820

Driving Directions

From Charleston or Mt. Pleasant:
Drive north on US 17. Once past the small town of McClellanville, turn right onto South Santee Road (State Rd S-10-857) and drive until it intersects with Santee Gun Club Road. Lily Pond Baptist Church is at this junction on the right. Park behind the church.

From Georgetown:
Drive south on US 17 for approximately 15.0 miles. One mile beyond the South Santee River Bridge, turn left onto South Santee Road (State Road S-10-857). Drive approximately 1.4 miles until it intersects with Santee Gun Club Road. Lily Pond Baptist Church is at this junction on the left. Park behind the church.

Gum Swamp Road, Jackson, SC

Date changed from Saturday, July 13 to Sunday, July 14 due to expected rain on July 13.

This is in Jackson, SC near Aiken. Our target species are Texan Crescent and Tawny and Hackberry Emperors. We will meet at the Kathwood Lakes parking area of the Silver Bluff Audubon Center and Sanctuary. We will leave some cars at this location and consolidate the number of vehicles. It is just before where the dirt road portion of Silver Bluff Road begins. It is approximately 200 yards after crossing the railroad tracks coming south on Silver Bluff Road. Kathwood Lakes is the name Google Map uses for the bodies of water at this location. The GPS coordinates are 33.337279, -81.843453. 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. There is a possibility of butterflying at Silver Bluff Audubon Center in the afternoon.

Peachtree Rock Heritage Preserve and Shealy’s Pond Heritage Preserve

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

Saturday – Southwest Mountains of NC

Meeting place and time: At a paved parking area along the southeast side of US 64, about 0.2-mile mile east of where the Appalachian Trail crosses the highway. This parking area is located perhaps 5 miles west of where Wayah Road meets US 64. We will meet at 10:30 AM on Saturday, May 12. It likely will be a bit chilly at 3500 feet elevation, and we want to allow plenty of time for folks to drive to the site on Saturday morning without having to spend Friday night in Franklin. We will meet again at this parking area on Sunday, but we will meet on Sunday at 10:00 AM.

Butterflying locations include various sites west of the meeting place, such as the Wasilik Poplar area, possibly Wayah and Wind Spring Balds. Definitely the Buck Creek area in eastern Clay County; this area will be our main focus.

Targets: Tawny Crescent (should see), Gorgone Checkerspot (rare and not likely, but at least was formerly at a site where we will visit), Dusted Skipper, Indian Skipper (perhaps a tad early), Northern Crescent, Appalachian Tiger Swallowtail, Dusky Azure and Silvery Blue (maybe a tad late for them), West Virginia White, Appalachian Azure, Pepper and Salt Skipper. Lots of very rare possibilities (as if we will see a Gray Comma, Green Comma, Early Hairstreak, or Golden Banded-Skipper!)

There are many motels in Franklin. However, rates will not be inexpensive, as May is semi-high season, and of course we will be here on a weekend.

 

 

Sunday — Weymouth Woods / Sandhills Gamelands

Participants are to provide their own transportation, meals, and lodging and all costs associated with this field trip.

The final plan for the Day 2 sites will be determined at the end of Day 1 but will probably be in the area of Sandhills Gamelands.

Road conditions in the Sandhills Gamelands can be tricky at times but we have not had issues recently. The roads are sand and are fairly solid but after wet weather can be difficult. It is recommended that you bring additional snacks, food, and beverages as during the walk we will be away from public facilities. You can pack a picnic lunch or stop for lunch on the way. Wear long sleeves and pants, sturdy shoes or hiking footwear, and any other items you may require for a pleasant butterflying experience.

The nearest city of Southern Pines offers many upscale restaurants in addition to fast food fare. Lodging accommodations are also available in Southern Pines.

Sandhills Gamelands

Canceled -Brunswick County / Green Swamp — Sunday

The itinerary for this day will be determined at the end of Saturday.

Link to Google Map of the Green Swamp Preserve location.

There are no public facilities or amenities at either location that will be visited during this walk. Please bring with you any beverages, snack, or food that you will require for an enjoyable experience. It is recommended that you use good bug spray, wear long sleeves and pants, sturdy or hiking shoes.

The nearest town of Supply, NC located about 10 miles away from the Green Swamp Preserve has assorted fast food restaurants. The nearest town for lodging is about 30 miles away in Wilmington, NC. Participants are responsible for their own transportation, meals, and lodging costs.

Canceled – Brunswick County / Green Swamp — Saturday

Meet up will be at the intersection of Yarborough St SW & Ocean Isle Beach Rd SW located in Shallotte, NC. Map coordinates are provided to help you navigate to this location. Please click on the images provided to assist you with locating this site. A link to a Google Map of the location is provided below under Venue. Map coordinates are: 33.91954°N,-78.44591°E (dd.ddddd° format); 33°55.172’N, 78°26.755’W (dd°mm.mmm’ format); 33°55’10.3″N, 78°26’45.3″W (dd°mm’ss.s” format)

After arrival we will check the chinquapins for Oak Hairstreaks, then continue to the Green Swamp Preserve.

There are no public facilities or amenities at either location that will be visited during this walk. Please bring with you any beverages, snack, or food that you will require for an enjoyable experience. It is recommended that you use good bug spray, wear long sleeves and pants, sturdy or hiking shoes.

The nearest town of Supply, NC located about 10 miles away from the Green Swamp Preserve has assorted fast food restaurants. The nearest town for lodging is about 30 miles away in Wilmington, NC. Participants are responsible for their own transportation, meals, and lodging costs.

Francis Marion NF Weekend – Sunday

Members are to provide their own transportation, meals, and lodging. Members are responsible for paying for all costs associated with this field trip.

We will meet at the US Forest Visitor’s Center. There are no facilities at this location. You will need to bring lunch, water, bug spray, guide books, binoculars, camera, and any other items you will need to have a pleasant butterflying experience. It is recommended that your wear long sleeves, pants, hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses. Biting insects in some locations can be impressive. Path conditions are flat and sandy. It is recommended you wear sturdy shoes or hiking footwear. We will be mainly driving and stopping along dirt forest service roads, all walking will be easy on level dirt, gravel roads.

We will visit a number of locations depending on butterflying conditions. The nearest rest rooms are in Cainhoy about 15 mi away and Huger Campgrounds 4 mi above Huger. Note: Huger is pronounced U-Gee by the locals.

Lodging accommodates can be found in the towns of N Charleston (40 mi), Mt Pleasant (30 mi), Charleston and Georgetown (25 mi). Some suggested dining options include See Wee Restaurant in Awendaw; T.W. Graham & Co. Seafood Restaurant, Buckshots, and McClellanville Diner in McClellanville.

Target species include but are not restricted to: Palamedes Swallowtail. King’s Hairstreak, Little Metalmark, Intricate Satyr, Georgia Satyr, White Checkered-Skipper, Tropical Checkered-Skipper, Tawny-edged Skipper, Byssus Skipper, Yehl Skipper, Rare Skipper, Broad-winged Skipper, Duke’s Skipper, Lace-winged Roadside-Skipper, and Reversed Roadside-Skipper.

Francis Marion NF Weekend – Saturday

Members are to provide their own transportation, meals, and lodging. Members are responsible for paying for travel costs associated with this field trip.

We will meet in the parking lot of the Santee Delta WMA -East. Please see the images below to help you find this obscure location. There isn’t an actual street address for you to use, but there are coordinates that can be plugged into Google maps or a GPS device: 33°12’17.0″N, 79°23’16.1″W (format: dd° mm’ ss.s”) or 33.204728, -79.387817 (format: dd.ddddd°)

Hover over the images with your mouse to read a description of the image. The East parking lot is along the northbound lanes of Hwy 17. The West parking lot is on the southbound lanes. There is an unofficial left turn into the East parking lot from the southbound lanes.

satellite image of parking lot

There are no facilities at this location. You will need to bring lunch, water, bug spray, guide books, binoculars, camera, and any other items you will need to have a pleasant butterflying experience. It is recommended that your wear long sleeves, pants, hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses. Biting insects in some locations can be impressive. Path conditions are flat and sandy. It is recommended you wear sturdy shoes or hiking footwear.

We will visit a number of locations depending on butterflying conditions. The nearest convenience stores in McClellanville, about 10 miles from Santee Delta East WMA, 6 mi from Santee Coastal Reserve and 6 mi from Mills Branch in the Francis Marion NF. Lodging accommodates can be found in the towns of N Charleston (40 mi), Mt Pleasant (30 mi), Charleston and Georgetown (25 mi).

Some suggested dining options include See Wee Restaurant in Awendaw; T.W. Graham & Co. Seafood Restaurant, Buckshots, and McClellanville Diner in McClellanville.

Target species include but are not restricted to: Palamedes Swallowtail. King’s Hairstreak, Little Metalmark, Intricate Satyr, Georgia Satyr, White Checkered-Skipper, Tropical Checkered-Skipper, Tawny-edged Skipper, Byssus Skipper, Yehl Skipper, Rare Skipper, Broad-winged Skipper, Duke’s Skipper, Lace-winged Roadside-Skipper, and Reversed Roadside-Skipper.