Tag Archives: Walking Distance: Short

Carolina Sandhills NWR, Cheraw SP and Horseshoe Mountain

The first walk for the CBS Midlands Chapter will be on April 3. We will visit Cheraw State Park and Horseshoe Mountain. Due to a recent controlled burn and lack of nectar, we will NOT explore Carolina Sandhills NWR; we will only meet there in the parking lot at 10:00 (which, due to the expected cool temperature, is later than the original time of 9:30 ). The main entrance is on US Highway 1, about 4 miles northeast of McBee, SC. The address is 23734 U.S. Highway 1, McBee, SC 29101. We will caravan to Cheraw SP and then to Horseshoe Mountain.

Please note that masks and social distancing are mandated on all federal lands (Sandhills) and masks are only required in areas where people congregate at Cheraw SP. If you want to explore the Carolina Sandhills NWR, a youth turkey hunt is taking place on this date and our permit limits us to either side of Wildlife Drive from Hwy 1 to RT 9. Please bring an orange hat or vest to wear in the NWR other than the parking lot.

Please note that the area at Cheraw SP is not a trail and we will be walking on uneven ground covered with pine needles and some vegetation. Also, at Horseshoe Mountain there is a walk with some steps to get up to the top. The high temperature is only supposed to be 59 on Saturday, but we did see butterflies while scouting when it was only 55 degrees. It is supposed to be sunny.

As before we will practice social distancing as much as possible during the walk. Be sure to bring your mask since the area will be more crowded on a holiday weekend. Bathrooms are available at Horseshoe Mountain.

The target species are Henry’s Elfin, Brown Elfin, Frosted Elfin and Hessel’s Hairstreak. Please bring your binoculars, camera, field guides, lunch, snacks and water. We will end around 3:00. Marty and Dave Kastner will lead the walk. Please sign up on the CBS website or contact Marty and Dave if you plan to attend. [email protected]

CANCELLED – Parris Island, South Carolina

CANCELLED

Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19), we have been informed by our contact at Parris Island that, “It has been extremely difficult to get non-DOD affiliated personnel on the Depot, especially Friday-Sunday.” Consequently, this walk has been CANCELLED. The invitation to visit Parris Island is still open and we intend to include it in the planning schedule for 2021.

This is a very rare opportunity to butterfly on Parris Island.

The walk will be LIMITED TO THE FIRST 12 PEOPLE who sign up by September 12 either on the CBS website or by contacting Marty Kastner at [email protected]. When you register, you will need to provide your FULL NAME, DATE OF BIRTH and SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER. This information will be given to John Holloway (our trip leader and the natural resources person for Parris Island) which he will submit to Parris Island base security for the purpose of vetting all attendees. Dennis Forsythe is the organizer for this walk.

We will meet at the Parris Island Gateway entrance just south of US Highway 21 at Malecon Drive. Once through the main gate, we will pull over to caravan. The GPS coordinates for the front entry gate are 32.375001, -80.716649.

Long pants, sturdy shoes and a hat are recommended. Please bring sunscreen, insect repellent, water and lunch. Binoculars, a camera (for the photographers in the group) and field guide will be helpful for butterfly identification.

+ GOOGLE CALENDAR + ICAL EXPORT

Pilot Mountain State Park

The Triad Chapter of Carolina Butterfly Society will hold a butterfly walk at Pilot Mountain State Park in Surry County. Meet at the base of the mountain at the drive entrance. We will check out the butterflies in the meadow in this area. Be alert for changes in this plan in case we have to change the meeting place due to weekend crowding. After exploring the meadow, we will proceed up the mountain to the parking lot at the top near the restrooms.

Contact the field trip coordinator, Gene Schepker [email protected], if you plan to participate. Participants are welcome to come on our walks without contacting the coordinator, but you may miss us if there are last minute changes in the trip details. Trip coordinators will contact those who register for our field trips with updates on weather issues, changes in timing or meeting places, and other details.

Wear sturdy shoes, bring plenty of water to drink, and dress for the summer weather. Binoculars, cameras, field guides, insect repellent and sunscreen probably will be useful. Those who wish to have a picnic lunch while on the top should bring their own food and drink because there is no place nearby to get them.

Our targets are Common Roadside Skipper, Mourning Cloak, and Hoary Edge, as well as other butterflies.

This trip is suitable for beginners as well as seasoned butterfliers. However, since the ground is uneven and there are potential tripping and falling hazards, it would be best for parents with kids and folks with ambulatory issues to seriously consider the possible dangers. Guests are welcome but no pets, please.