On Saturday May 20 The Greater Charlotte Chapter of the CBS held a butterfly walk in Brunswick County.  We started the morning checking blooming Chinquapin looking for Hairstreaks but with the overcast conditions we decided to head for the Green Swamp Eco. Area. Sunny conditions in the Green Swamp didn’t bring many butterflies but the plant life was abundant. The Flytraps were in bloom and gorgeous. We were also able to find Rosebud Orchid or Spreading Pogonia, Grass Pink, Nodding Ladies’ Tresses, Slender Ladies Tresses, and three species of Pitcher Plant. We then decided to head to a couple areas in the Green Swamp Gamelands and work our way back toward Ocean Isle Beach Rd. The afternoon weather was much better at the Chinquapins and we were treated to 5 Oak Hairstreaks with very close looks “1 foot” on several occasions. Special thanks to Taylor Piephoff for leading the walk and sharing his experience and knowledge of the area. Other participants were Chris and Cheryl Talkington. Here is a complete list for the day.

Seven Butterfliers walked the Gar Creek ROW from 10 am – 12:15 pm. Weather: Cool and breezy, partly cloudy. 13 species.

Butterfly List:

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail 4
Orange Sulphur 2
Eastern Tailed-Blue 1
Variegated Fritillary 1
Pearl Crescent 2
Question Mark 1
American Lady 18
Common Buckeye 8
Silver-spotted Skipper 2
Northern Cloudywing 1
Cloudywing sp. 1
Sachem 3
Zabulon Skipper 1
Dusted Skipper 12

– Kevin