Tag Archives: National Forest

Francis Marion National Forest (McClellanville, NE of Charleston, SC)

SAVE THE DATES

This is a full CBS walk. Exact locations for butterflying within the FMNF (Francis Marion National Forest) will be determined after the NABA count the weekend before this scheduled CBS walk. We will go to the most productive areas in the FMNF based on NABA count results.

On Saturday, we will meet at the Circle K convenience store at the intersection of Highway 17 and Route 45 in McClellanville, SC (GPS coordinates 33.09514, -79.47558). Restrooms are available at this location. From there we will drive to the areas within the FMNF to butterfly. We will be on forest roads within the national forest. There is a fairly large area to explore so we will be driving to specific sites, parking and walking along the roadside, then driving to other areas to explore on foot. There are no facilities within the FMNF. The meeting location for Sunday will be determined at the end of the walk on Saturday.

Make sure to bring plenty of water, bug repellant and a lunch. You can attend either or both days. Please contact Alison Smith at the email address below if you plan to participate.

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.

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.

CANCELLED – Sumter National Forest, Enoree District

CANCELLED

Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and out of an abundance of caution, this walk has been CANCELLED. We will explore areas of the Sumter National Forest.  Meet in the parking lot of the Piggly Wiggly in Whitmire.  The address is 26490 SC-121, Whitmire, SC 29170.  GPS is 34.507138, -81.601602.  Dennis Forsythe will be our leader.  dennis.forsythe@gmail.com

Sumter National Forest – Enoree District

POSTPONED DUE TO PREDICTED WEATHER (was May 11)

NEW DATE – Monday, May 13

The Midlands Chapter walk to Sumter National Forest previously scheduled for May 11 has been postponed due to predicted rain. Dennis Forsythe who is leading has rescheduled the walk for Monday, May 13. Be sure to let Dennis know if you will be attending.

Please meet at the BP gas station on Hwy. 66 right off of I-26 near Joanna, SC. We will then drive to various parts of the forest. Walking will be minimal. There are bathrooms in the camping area, but we may not be near them until the afternoon. There are no restaurants nearby. Our targeted species are Pepper and Salt Skipper, Common Roadside-Skipper and Dusted Skipper. Dennis Forsythe will lead.

Canceled – Sumter National Forest – Enoree District

We will meet at the BP gas station on Hwy. 66 right off of I-26 near Joanna, SC. We will then drive to various parts of the forest. Walking will be minimal. There are bathrooms in the camping area, but we may not be near them until the afternoon. There are no restaurants nearby.

Our targeted species are Pepper and Salt Skipper, Common Roadside-Skipper and Dusted Skipper.