Field Trips
IMPORTANT Change: Call the field trip leader to register for a trip. Also, call at least one day before the trip to ensure that trip is still on schedule.
May 9: 8 p.m. Stargazing 101 - Learn basic astronomy, to locate and identify stars and constellations. Meet at Weymouth Woods parking area. Leader: Scott Hartley – 910-692-2167 or 910-944-9337.
May 31: 6 a.m. Lansford Canal State Park – We will go to Catawba, SC to see the Rocky Shoals spider lilies and a possible eagle nesting. The lilies predictably bloom from mid-May to mid-June and create a spectacular sight on the Catawba River. Lansford Canal is approximately two-and-one-half hours one-way. Bring lunch, sunscreen, and bug spray. Meet at the Wal-Mart parking lot. We will leave promptly at 6 a.m. Leader: Carol Bowman – 910-690-9388.
June 7: 7 a.m. Howell Woods - Howell Woods is a well known area for breeding neotropical migrants, including Kentucky Warbler, Swainson’s Warbler, and probably Mississippi Kites. Meet at Weymouth Woods. Howell Woods is about one-and-a-half hours one-way. Bring some water and a picnic lunch, as there are few places to eat in the vicinity. Leader: Contact Patrick Shaffner - 910- 692-4981 home, 910-635-2099 cell.
June 26: 6 a.m. 14th Annual Pettigrew State Park Butterfly Count – Conducted like a bird count. The data are sent to the North American Butterfly Association. Pettigrew State Park is about three-and-one-half hours one-way. While it’s a long day trip, the diversity and especially the numbers of butterflies can be impressive. We often record several hundred Zebra Swallowtails, Red Admirals, and American Ladies. Bears and Canebrake Rattlers are often seen, and Red Wolf is possible. Bring food, water, sunscreen, bug spray. Return by 9 p.m. Leader: Scott Hartley - 910-692-2167 or 910-944-9337.
July 26: 7 a.m. Canoe Trip on the PeeDee River - A great chance to explore the sparsely developed Grassy Island section of the slow moving PeeDee River. We should see a good variety of breeding birds, turtles, herps, bugs, and plants. Bring sunscreen and be prepared for some paddling! Meet at the Food King parking lot on Hwy 220 in Ellerbe at 7:00 a.m. This is about 45 minutes from Southern Pines. Water levels are not dependable, so we may make some last-minute adjustments to take advantage of water levels, heat, rain, etc. Leader: Terry Sharpe – 910-652-6403 or 910-206-0602.
Field Trip Ideas
Listed below are locations that have been suggested for future field trips. If you have other field trip ideas or would be willing to lead one, please contact Scott Hartley at 692-2167 or 944-9337.
NC Museum of Natural Science – Raptor Display/Bug Fest
Fayetteville Botanical Gardens
Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge
Museum of Life and Science – Butterfly House
Scott Hartley would like to encourage members to consider scheduling and leading field trips. We have many knowledgeable folks in this group, and it would be a pleasure to join them on field trips to their favorite places. Please call Scott with your field trip ideas at 692-2167. Your contributions will be greatly appreciated by the membership.
