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.
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 10:00 AM on Sunday, May 13.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
We will meet in the parking lot. The trails are mostly sand with some rocky areas and hills. Please wear appropriate footwear such as sturdy or hiking shoes. Gas stations and restaurants are within a couple of miles from the Preserve. It is recommended you bring water, lunch or snacks, camera, binoculars, field guides, and any other items you may require to have an enjoyable experience. Wearing long pants, sunscreen, hat is advised. Use of bug spray may be needed. Please note that there are no amenities at this location such as a public restroom or water fountain.
Target species is the Brown Elfin.