Tag Archives: Wildlife Management Area

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

The Carolina Butterfly Society Midlands Chapter will hold a butterfly walk on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at the 3,674-acre Wateree River Heritage Preserve and Wildlife Management Area. Our target species are Henry’s Elfin and Falcate Orangetip, but we will also be looking for other early-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 33.9495, -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.

Post-Symposium Walk – Wateree River HP and WMA (Eastover, near Columbia, SC)

This is a post-symposium butterfly walk at the 3,674-acre Wateree River Heritage Preserve and Wildlife Management Area but anyone is welcome whether they plan on attending the symposium or not. 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. The Southern Dogface has been seen consistently at this site.

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. Please register online at 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 SCDNR website link below for hiking trails and other information about the Wateree River Heritage Preserve and Wildlife Management Area.

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

The Carolina Butterfly Society Midlands Chapter will hold a butterfly walk on October 21,2023 at 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.

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. 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.

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

RESCHEDULED

Due to the forecast for rain on Saturday, March 18, this walk has been rescheduled for Tuesday, March 21, starting at 11:00 AM. We apologize for the inconvenience and hope you will still be able to attend.

The Carolina Butterfly Society Midlands Chapter will hold a butterfly walk at the 3,674-acre Wateree River Heritage Preserve and Wildlife Management Area. Our target species are the Henry’s Elfin and Falcate Orangetip, but we will also be looking for other early-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.

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. Please bring water, lunch, binoculars, cameras, sunscreen, and bug spray. Long pants and close-toed shoes are recommended.

See the website link below for hiking trails and other information about the Wateree River Heritage Preserve and Wildlife Management Area.

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.

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.

CANCELLED – Palachucola WMA and/or Hamilton Ridge WMA, Hampton County, SC

CANCELLED

Due to extensive flooding and a lack of nectar sources in both the Palachucola WMA and Hamilton Ridge WMA, this trip has been CANCELLED. We will instead explore the Timmerman Trail in Cayce, South Carolina on 2/21/20. Please refer to the Timmerman Trail event entry for details.

We will explore Palachucola WMA and/or Hamilton Ridge WMA from 10:30-4:00 or until you need to leave.  Prior to entering Palachucola WMA, please meet at the intersection of Orangeburg Road (County Road S-25-19) and Augusta Stagecoach Road (County Road S-25-20).  Alison Smith and Tom Austin will lead this walk.

Please let us know if you are coming in case plans or meeting places change.  You may sign up on the CBS website or email Marty Kastner at kastners@aol.com.  Bring your camera, binoculars, field guide, lunch, snacks, water and bug spray.  Long pants and close toed shoes are recommended.  We will be driving to several locations and getting out to look around.  Walking level is easy.  There are no restrooms.

CANCELLED – James W. Webb WMA, Hampton County, SC

CANCELLED

Due to extensive flooding and a lack of nectar sources in the James W. Webb WMA, this trip has been CANCELLED. We will instead explore the Timmerman Trail in Cayce, South Carolina on this same date. Please refer to the Timmerman Trail event entry for details.

The Carolina Butterfly Society’s first field trips of the 2020 season will be held on March 21 and 22 in Hampton County, SC.  There are three Wildlife Management Areas adjacent to each other for us to investigate.

On Saturday, March 21, we will go to the James W. Webb WMA from 10:30-4:00.  The entrance to the center is 2.7 miles from Garnett off Augusta Stagecoach Road (more complete directions are below).  We will meet at the office.  Last year at this time we saw 25+ species at Webb including the Seminole Texan Crescent.  Marty and Dave Kastner will lead this part of the walk.

On Sunday, March 22, we will explore Palachucola WMA and/or Hamilton Ridge WMA from 10:30-4:00 or until you need to leave.  Please meet at the intersection of Orangeburg Road and Augusta Stagecoach Road.  Alison Smith and Tom Austin will lead this walk.

If you would like to stay overnight, the closest hotels are in Ridgeland, SC which is about 30 minutes from Webb WMA.

Please let us know if you are coming in case plans change.  You may sign up on the CBS website or email Marty at kastners@aol.com.  Bring your camera, binoculars, field guide, lunch, snacks, water and bug spray.  Long pants and close toed shoes are recommended.  We will be driving to several locations and getting out to look around.  Walking level is easy.  There are no restrooms.

Directions to James W. Webb WMA Office – Address: 1282 Webb Avenue, Garnett, SC 29922 GPS Coordinates: Latitude = 32.608860, Longitude = -81.301580

  • 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), cross the railroad tracks and go approximately 2.6 miles.  Webb WMA entrance is on the left.  Follow Webb Avenue 1.5 miles to the office.
  • From I-95 – Take exit 21 for SC 336 towards Ridgeland.  Turn right onto SC 336 and right onto US 321 N.  Turn left onto Augusta Stage Road and follow it to the Webb WMA entrance on the left.  Follow Webb Avenue 1.5 miles to the office.
  • From Aiken – Take Old Barnwell Rd, US-278 E, 7 Pines Rd, Patterson Mill Rd, … and SC-3 to County Rd S-25-19/Orangeburg Rd in Hampton County.  Turn left onto Augusta Stagecoach Road and right onto Webb Avenue and follow it 1.5 miles to the office.

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.

Crackerneck Wildlife Management Area and Ecological Reserve

Jackson, SC, Aiken County. Please visit their website for directions. This area is only open during designated dates and times. Meet at the gate where you will have to sign in and out. We may carpool on the property leaving the other cars in the parking area. We will drive to various areas to look for butterflies. The main roads are gravel, the smaller roads are grass but unless you get way off the track they are in pretty good shape and are well maintained. There is a port-o-let at the gate. The nearest town is Jackson, a mile or two from the front gate. There is a Subway there and possibly other local restaurants, but you should probably bring lunch because the property is huge and if you get back to the areas where we’re going to be, it can take as long as ½ hour just to get back to the gate. Intricate Satyr, Texan Crescent and Appalachian Brown have been found at this site.