Backyard Butterflies

NABA Count: Hanging Rock State Park
2019-08-20 09:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | Vade Mecum, 1105 Camp Sertoma Dr, Westfield, North Carolina, 27053
Top: Hickory Horned Devil caterpillar
Left to Right: Eastern Comma, Catalpa moth caterpillar, Question Mark, Northern Pearly Eye
Meet up for this count is at Vade Mecum located outside of the main park area.
This count will take place in areas off of trails through tall grasses, over river rocks, and on some blazed trails.
We recommend wearing hiking shoes or boots as we will being walking through areas without trails. Long pants are recommended as well as 40+% DEET bug repellent. Sunscreen and hats are also advised.
Please prepare for heat indexes of over 100°F on this walk by bringing water or electrolyte containing beverages. A packed lunch is also recommended. Access to flush toilets will be limited. There are public restrooms in the park and there is a public water fountain.
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NABA Count: Durham County
2019-08-18 08:30 - 17:00 | NC
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NABA Count: Orange County
2019-08-15 09:00 - 15:00 | NC
Join us for the 3rd conduction of the Orange County NABA Count! If you are not familiar with what is a NABA count, please visit the NABA website for more information. All butterfly identification skill levels are welcome to participate. We welcome any amount of time you can provide to cover designated areas within Orange County.
Areas to be covered, but not limited to: Brumley Forest, Johnston Mill, Keith Arboretum, Occoneechee State Park, portions of Duke Forest, and other areas in Chapel Hill and Hillsborough.
The $3 fee to participate will be covered by Backyard Butterflies.
Ready to join us? Click the button to sign-up or contact us.
Contact Us

National Moth Week: Family Moth Night
2019-07-28 21:00 - 23:00 | Backyard Butterflies, 1507 US HWY 70A East, Hillsborough, NC, 27278, United States
Join us at Backyard Butterflies for Adult Moth Night in celebration of National Moth Week!
We are firing up our moth lights in the backyard! Come see what we attract to our collecting sheet!
Please bring a flashlight or wear a headlamp. You may wish to apply bug repellent. We recommend wearing sturdy shoes and long pants. Be sure to bring along your favorite moth field guide and camera!
All ages are welcome but we recommend children be at least 8+ years old. All kids must be accompanied by an adult.
We are also hosting an Adult Month Night on Saturday, July 27.
Please note you will be coming to a private residence. We live in a quiet neighborhood.
How to Register & RSVP
Parking space is limited and we require that you RSVP per car. You can have as many people in your car as you like or fit! If you have any questions or comments, please contact us!

Step 1: Click on the purple REGISTER button. Fill out the form that will appear on the page. Click SUBMIT.
Step 2: Under RSVP enter 1, then click on the COMFIRM RSVP button. You will receive an email from WORDPRESS containing your RSVP.

Step 3: Optional. Please consider making a donation to Backyard Butterflies to help with costs and expenses. We appreciate your support!

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National Moth Week: Adult Moth Night
2019-07-27 21:00 - 2019-07-28 00:00 | Backyard Butterflies, 1507 US HWY 70A East, Hillsborough, NC, 27278, United States
Join us at Backyard Butterflies for Adult Moth Night in celebration of National Moth Week!
We are firing up our moth lights in the backyard! Come see what we attract to our collecting sheet!
Please bring a flashlight or wear a headlamp. You may wish to apply bug repellent. We recommend wearing sturdy shoes and long pants. Be sure to bring along your favorite moth field guide and camera!
This Moth Night is for adults only. We are also hosting a Family Moth Night on Sunday, July 28.
Please note you will be coming to a private residence. We live in a quiet neighborhood.
How to Register & RSVP
Parking space is limited and we require that you RSVP per car. You can have as many people in your car as you like or fit! If you have any questions or comments, please contact us!

Step 1: Click on the purple REGISTER button. Fill out the form that will appear on the page. Click SUBMIT.
Step 2: Under RSVP enter 1, then click on the COMFIRM RSVP button. You will receive an email from WORDPRESS containing your RSVP.

Step 3: Optional. Please consider making a donation to Backyard Butterflies to help with costs and expenses. We appreciate your support!

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Annual Open House & Plant Swap 2019
2019-06-22 08:00 - 12:00 | Backyard Butterflies, 1507 US HWY 70A East, Hillsborough, NC, 27278, United States
Join us for our 3rd Annual Open House & Plant Swap on the Summer Solstice!
How the Open House works
We open our habitat to allow members of our community to come see how we created our garden and habitat, maintain it, changes we make, and what we continue to learn from observing it in action. We offer a guided tour of the habitat telling our story, showcase our favorite plants, discuss how everything has a role in the habitat, and show you all of the life stages of various butterfly species currently in the yard.
How the Plant Swap works
1. Bring a plant from your garden that is either a host plant or nectar plant for any pollinator. (See our suggested plant list.)
2. Check in your plants with us upon arrival. For each plant you bring you’ll get 1 swap credit. Save time by filling out a Plant Swap Check In Sheet before you come and be sure to bring it with you!
3. Use your credits to swap a plant with us, or with plants others have brought to swap.
4. Don’t have any plants to bring? No problem! We’ll have plants you can purchase.
Open House & Plant Swap List (Updated June 3, 2019)

Annual Open House & Plant Swap 2019
2019-06-21 08:00 - 12:00 | Backyard Butterflies, 1507 US HWY 70A East, Hillsborough, NC, 27278, United States
Join us for our 3rd Annual Open House & Plant Swap on the Summer Solstice!
How the Open House works
We open our habitat to allow members of our community to come see how we created our garden and habitat, maintain it, changes we make, and what we continue to learn from observing it in action. We offer a guided tour of the habitat telling our story, showcase our favorite plants, discuss how everything has a role in the habitat, and show you all of the life stages of various butterfly species currently in the yard.

How the Plant Swap works
1. Bring a plant from your garden that is either a host plant or nectar plant for any pollinator. (See our suggested plant list.)
2. Check in your plants with us upon arrival. For each plant you bring you’ll get 1 swap credit. Save time by filling out a Plant Swap Check In Sheet before you come and be sure to bring it with you!
3. Use your credits to swap a plant with us, or with plants others have brought to swap.
4. Don’t have any plants to bring? No problem! We’ll have plants you can purchase.

Swap and Plant List for Open House (Updated June 3, 2019)

Raise a Caterpillar Workshop at WBU
2019-06-08 10:00 - 11:00 | Wild Birds Unlimited, 1806 M.L.K. Jr Blvd, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27514
Learn how to raise an Eastern Black Swallowtail caterpillar into a butterfly during this 45 minute workshop conducted by Lori M. Carlson of Backyard Butterflies and hosted by Wild Birds Unlimited in Chapel Hill. Workshop fee includes one critter cage, one caterpillar, host plant, booklet and free after workshop support. All ages welcome, but children must be accompanied by a parent or an adult. All registration fees must be pre-paid. Limit of 15 spaces.
Please note that your caterpillar/chrysalis will require care for one to two weeks. Your butterfly must be released within North Carolina. No refunds. Workshop fee is transferrable.

NABA Count: Weymouth Woods
2019-06-06 09:00 - 15:00 | Weymouth Woods Sandhills NP, 1024 Ft. Bragg Road, Southern Pines, North Carolina, 28387
Meet up will be at the Visitor’s Center in the morning. This location offers a pleasant walk through stands of pine forests.
Pathways are packed sand. Wearing sturdy walking or hiking shoes is recommended along with long sleeves and pants as we will go off trail in some locations to look for as many butterfly species as possible. It is recommended you use a good bug spray, wear sunscreen, and carry water with you. Be sure to bring with you those items you may need to have a pleasant experience.
It is recommended you bring a packed lunch and snacks with plenty of water.
The Visitor’s Center has public restrooms and a water fountain. The nearest towns of Aberdeen and Southern Pines have many restaurants and other accommodations.
Target species for this count are the King’s and Edward’s Hairstreaks. Additional species commonly seen are Palamedes, Spicebush, and Tiger Swallowtails; Common Buckeyes, Eastern Tailed Blues and Azures, and assorted duskywings.

Wednesday Walk: Picture Creek Barrens
2019-05-29 11:00 - 15:00 | McDonald’s Butner, 1543 NC-56,, Butner, North Carolina, 27522
Left to Right: Rattlesnake master (Eryngium yuccifolium), Tall barbara’s buttonns (Marshallia legrandii), False indigo (Baptisia australis), Downy wood mint (Blephilia ciliata), Smooth coneflower (Echinacea laevigata).
Meet up for this walk will be at the Butner McDonald’s off of I-85N as the access location for this site has no address. We will be parked at the back of the lot and will not be inside the restaurant. We will then drive to the walk location from the restaurant. Note that the time of this walk is different from other Wednesday Walks. We will start at 11 AM.
This location has no trails, no amenities, and the restroom is standing or squatting behind a tree or shrub. We recommend that only those who have no mobility limitations or difficulties participate in this walk, and are comfortable with very rustic conditions. If you have any special need or concerns about joining us in this walk, please contact us. The lack of conveniences is well worth the extra effort required for this walk as not only does it provide an opportunity to see butterflies in situ, but it also is a protected area of genuine Piedmont Prairie. The landscape is populated with an amazing assortment of native plants, some of which can only be found in this location.
Butterfly species we expect to see include Juniper Hairstreaks, Coral Hairstreak, Great Spangled Fritillaries, Zebra Swallowtails, Common Buckeyes, American Ladies, and assorted grass skippers. Flora that should be in majestic, splendorous bloom at this time of year: Asclepias tuberosa, wild quinine, rattlesnake master, Baptisia autralis, downy wood mint, variegated milkweed, dogbane, smooth coneflower, golden alexander, and tall barbara’s buttons.
We strongly recommend wearing a bug and tick repellent of at least 40% DEET as we will be walking through tall grasses. Finding ticks on your body after the walk is guaranteed! We will also suggest bringing with you beverages and a packed lunch. Binoculars are optional as we will be able to get fairly close to most butterflies. This walk is an excellent photo op for the flora as well as for the butterflies. The following video was taken on May 26, 2017 and is of a Zebra Swallowtail foraging on Asclepias tuberosa.
https://www.backyardbutterflies.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/VID_20170526_125511408.mp4

Butterfly Day at Big Bloomers Flower Farm
2019-05-25 10:00 - 14:00 | Big Bloomers Flower Farm, 275 Pressly Foushee Rd, Sanford, North Carolina, 27330
Caterpillar Workshop at Butterfly Day
Come join us for our annual Butterfly Day hosted at Big Bloomers Flower Farm in Sanford! We will have our usual set-up and display, conduct a free caterpillar raising workshop (normally $25), and give a talk about creating your own backyard butterfly habitat. We will also do a butterfly release in the afternoon if we have them available.
No registration is necessary. Caterpillar availability for workshops is subject to Mother Nature. The workshop is conducted on a first-come, first-serve basis, unless there are more people than available caterpillars. We will then do a lottery drawing.
In addition to the workshops and talks, there will be butterfly DIY crafts and activities for kids and adults.
Big Bloomers has a vast assortment of butterfly nectar and host plants, and is the primary nursery we have used since 2012 to create our backyard habitat. They have multiple species of milkweed that is caterpillar safe!

Long Leaf Pine Festival 2019
2019-05-18 10:00 - 14:00 | Harris Lake County Park
Join us at the Long Leaf Pine Festival at Harris Lake County Park! We will have a limited selection of host and nectar plants available for purchase. As always, we will bring with us any live caterpillars or butterflies that are currently available from our habitat.
We will have a special exhibit about woodland butterflies. Woodland butterflies are a unique group of lepidoptera as they prefer or utilize other sources of food than flower nectar. Finding them for observation can be a bit tricky and typically requires going to remote locations.

NABA Count: Dismal Swamp State Park
2019-05-14 09:00 - 15:00 | Dismal Swamp State Park, 2294 US 17 North, South Mills, North Carolina, 27976
Palamedes Swallowtail at Dismal Swamp State Park
A wonderful citizen science opportunity for butterfliers! We will meet at the park’s visitor’s center. Transportation within the park to various locations will be provided. Amenities at the park include public bathrooms and water fountains within the visitor’s center.
The nearest major city with restaurants and lodging is Elizabeth City, about 20 miles from the park. Be sure to bring with you the necessities you require to have an enjoyable butterfly counting experience. It is recommended that you wear long pants, long sleeves, bring insect repellent, and wear sturdy shoes or hiking footwear.
Paths within the park are grassy and fairly level. Once inside the park conducting the count access to amenities is limited. The $3 participation fee for a NABA Count is waived.
Please register for this event so that Brian can keep you updated about changes due to weather or other circumstances.
Target species is the Hessel’s Hairstreak. Additional butterflies to be observed include: Palamedes Swallowtail (a new state record number was observed in 2017), Zebra Swallowtail, assorted skippers, hairstreaks, and more.
Thursday, May 16, 2019 will be the rain date for this NABA Count.

Puddling Tiger Swallowtails at Brumley Forest NP
2019-05-11 13:00 - 15:00 | Brumley Forest NP, 3055 New Hope Church Rd, Chapel Hill, NC, 27514
**EVENT CANCELLED DUE TO FORECAST OF RAIN**
Meet up for this walk will be the main parking lot near the map display. If there have been recent rains there is a chance we might encounter puddling butterflies at a known mud hole. If not, there will be opportunities to experience some of the best butterflying in Orange County.
Brumley Forest Nature Preserve has multiple areas in which to see large numbers of certain species of butterfly. We hope to have timed this walk perfectly to experience numerous Great Spangle Fritillaries in a quaint glade off one of the trails. There are “sweet spots” throughout the preserve in which one may find an abundance of Orange Sulphurs, Silvery Checkerspots, Carolina Satyrs, and puddling male Tiger Swallowtails.
Be sure to bring a camera as there is always something photoworthy while hiking through the preserve. We recommend wearing hiking shoes or boots as the trails can be muddy. Bug spray is optional as it is still early in the season. Please bring beverages or a snack if you require them. A questionable port-a-potty is available. No flush toilets or other amenities. The town of Hillsborough is about three miles away.
Video is of some puddling male Tiger Swallowtails observed on May 11, 2017.
https://www.backyardbutterflies.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/puddlingTigers.mp4

Wednesday Walk: Eno River State Park
2019-05-08 11:00 - 14:00 | Eno River State Park, 6101 Cole Mill Rd, Durham, North Carolina, 27705
Left to Right: Harvester, Lily-leaf twayblade, Dusted Skipper, and happy toad
Meet up is in the parking lot at the end of the road into the park, near the restrooms. Note that the time of this walk is different from other Wednesday Walks. We will start at 11 AM.
Please wear sturdy or hiking shoes or boots, and long pants. We will be walking through tall grasses or mowed grass to better observe smaller butterflies. The terrain is relatively level in the areas we will be exploring. Other accourements are at your discretion. We recommend bringing a camera and/or binoculars for butterflying. Please bring with you any additional items you might need to have a pleasant walking experience.
If we have timed it right, there should be a lot of thistle and other flowers in bloom that will attract Great Spangled Fritillaries, Juniper Hairstreaks, assorted grass skippers, and more. This location seems to only have butterfly activity in the early part of spring. At this park we have sighted some uncommon butterflies: Harvester, Pine Elfin, Dusted Skipper, and large numbers of Juniper Hairstreaks.
There are also some interesting native plants, like the lily-leaf twayblade to be found along the trails. We have also observed black rat snakes and toads!

NCBG Spring Plant Sale
2019-05-04 14:00 - 19:00 | NCBG, 100 Old Mason Farm Rd, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27517
We will be participating at the NCBG Spring Plant sale providing education and community outreach. We will have any caterpillars, chrysalises, and butterflies currently available from our habitat for education and demonstration.
The event features multiple native plant only vendors from around North Carolina. There will be other activities during the sale. For more information visit the event website at: http://ncbg.unc.edu/native-plant-sale/

Meet Your State Symbols 2019
2019-04-27 10:00 - 14:00 | Raleigh State Capitol, 1 Edenton St, Raleigh, 27601
Come join us outside the capitol building, or inside if it’s a rainy day! We’ll have our usual set-up along with any caterpillars or butterflies available from our habitat. We will have a small selection of plants and other butterfly related items for sale.

Wednesday Walk: NCBG
2019-04-24 13:00 - 15:00 | NCBG, 100 Old Mason Farm Rd, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27517
Meet up for this walk will be in the plant sale area near the Visitor’s Center. On this walk you can opt to dress for comfort as the pathways are easy to walk. There are public restrooms and a water fountain in the Visitor’s Center. There are numerous restaurants near the Gardens. Parking is free.
The NCBG is renowned for its collection of native plants. If butterfly activity is sparse, there will be plenty of spring ephemeral flowers to enjoy. They have an impressive collection of Baptisia plants that are always buzzing with fuzzy bumblebees. Honeybees can be observed foraging in the large clumpings of Aquilegia canadensis.
In the herb garden is a mass planting of fennel and if conditions are right, we might see an Eastern Black Swallowtail lay eggs on the delicate fronds. Once we sighted a Zebra Swallowtail in the Gardens during the spring. Not unusual as there are two large paw paw trees near the carnivorous plants. In the fall we sighted a Brazilian Skipper foraging on phlox–a very unexpected sighting as they usually are seen near species of Cannas, their host plants.
Disclaimer: We are not affiliated with NCBG or have a partnership with them.

Let's Go Butterflying!
2019-04-20 10:00 - 12:00 | Wild Birds Unlimited, 1806 M.L.K. Jr Blvd, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27514
Join us 10 AM to 12 PM for a class to learn how to identify butterflies in your backyard or in nature by using butterfly behaviors, field guides, recognition of host plants, location, habitat, as well as a few tips and tricks.
Then put your newly learned identification skills to use in the afternoon! Join us from 2-4 PM for a butterfly walk at Brumley Forest Nature Preserve in Chapel Hill.
We’ve partnered with Alicia and Chuck of Wild Birds Unlimited in Chapel Hill who have graciously offered to host this class. Class size is limited to 25 seats. Please call (919) 969-6778 to register and reserve your spot.
Class content is suitable for ages 10 to adult. Participants will receive a packet of materials to assist them with identification.

Brumley Forest Earth Day Walk
2019-04-20 10:00 - 12:00 | Brumley Forest NP, 3055 New Hope Church Rd, Chapel Hill, NC, 27514
This walk is the practical half of the Let’s Go Butterflying class hosted at Wild Birds Unlimited in Chapel Hill. Everyone is welcome to participate in the walk–attendance of the class is not necessary.
This walk will cover multiple areas where the first butterflies of the year can be seen. We expect to have sightings of American Ladies, Common Buckeyes, Orange Sulphurs, newly arrived Monarchs, Tiger Swallowtails, assorted early Hairstreaks, anglewings, and maybe a grass skipper or two. We will show you a known butterfly puddling spot, and if it has recently rained we may get lucky to see a gathering of Tiger Swallowtails.
Brumley has an impressive stand of common milkweeds that will be starting to grow. We might be able to see caterpillars if the spring proves to be warm.
Be sure to bring a camera as there is always something photoworthy while hiking through the preserve. We recommend wearing hiking shoes or boots as the trails can be muddy. Bug spray is optional as it is still early in the season. Please bring beverages or a snack if you require them. A questionable port-a-potty is available. No flush toilets or other amenities. The town of Hillsborough is about three miles away.

Wednesday Walk: JC Raulston Arboretum
2019-04-17 13:00 - 15:00 | JC Raulston Arboretum, 4415 Beryl Road, Raleigh, North Carolina, 27606
Meet up will be outside the visitor’s center. Paths through the garden are easily navigated by any kind of footwear. Be sure to bring with you any necessities you might need to have an enjoyable walk. Amenities at the location include public restroom and water fountains.
The arboretum is within driving distance of restaurants of all kinds. Parking is free. Butterflies typically seen at the Arboretum include: Tiger Swallowtails, Pipevine Swallowtails and caterpillars, cabbage whites, Sulphurs, assorted skippers, angelwings, and more!
In addition to butterflies, it is always a welcome sight to see early blooming trees and flowers. The garden features an assortment of spring ephemerals that can only be observed this time of year.
Please be sure to register to receive updates about any changes in dates and times as it may need to be rescheduled due to weather conditions.
Disclaimer: We are not affiliated with JC Raulston Arboretum or have a partnership with them.
Female Pipevine Swallowtail laying eggs on Aristocholia fimbriate shoots

Wednesday Walk: Sarah P. Duke Gardens
2019-04-10 13:00 - 15:00 | Sarah P. Duke Gardens, 420 Anderson St, Durham, North Carolina, 27708
We will start off our series of Wednesday Walks at Sarah P. Duke Gardens in Durham. Meet up will be at the Visitor’s Center near the main entrance.
You can dress for comfort while walking the pathways at this botanical garden. Binoculars aren’t necessary to get a good look at butterflies. We suggest bringing a camera for photo ops of the spring flowers, various insects, and butterflies. We expect to see the usual suspects of Swallowtails and Hairstreaks commonly seen in the spring. We will also point out interesting features of the Gardens, host plants, and other plants of interest. Areas that we will cover include The Discovery Garden, Blomquist Native Garden, and Historic Terraces.
Please note that there is an hourly parking fee of $2/hr.
Red Banded Hairstreak

Wednesday Walk: Pilot Mountain State Park
2019-04-03 11:00 - 14:00 | Pilot Mountain State Park, 1792 Pilot Knob Park Rd, Pinnacle, North Carolina, 27043
Left to Right: Dreamy Duskywing, Brown Elfin, Juvenal’s Duskywing, and Gemmed Satyr
We will meet at the top of the mountain near the restrooms. We recommend bringing a packed lunch and beverages. Binoculars and camera will come in handy for this walk. No need for sunscreen or bug spray. We will be walking through grasses, shubbery, and on trails, so be sure to wear sturdy footwear, hiking shoes or boots.
This early season walk at Pilot Mountain will hopefully provide an additional opportunity to catch some of the Limited Time Only (LTO) butterflies that can only be seen during the beginning of spring. Our target species for this walk include the Brown Elfin, the Sleepy and Dreamy Duskywings, Gemmed Satyrs, and Mourning Cloaks.
Perfect butterflying weather is not necessary for this walk to be conducted. However, if there is a forecast for certain rain it will be cancelled. Please register to receive updates about this walk.

Brown Elfin Walk at Occoneechee Mountain State Park
2019-03-31 09:00 - 10:30 | Occoneechee Mountain State Park, 625 Virginia Cates Road, Hillsborough, NC, 27278, United States
We will meet in the parking lot area near the map bulletin board. This will be a brief walk lasting about an hour. If there is interest we can look around for additional early butterflies.
This walk will take place even if the weather is cool and overcast. We have sighted the Brown and Henry’s Elfins under such conditions. If the day is rained out there will be another opportunity to see the Brown Elfin at Pilot Mountain on Wednesday, April 3, 2019. We can also schedule a personal walk to look for Brown Elfins upon request. Please register for this event to receive updates pertaining to the weather or other unforeseen circumstances.
Please wear sturdy shoes or footwear designed for hiking at the trail is gravel, inclined, and uneven. Bring with you any other necessities you may require for an enjoyable walk. Amenities at this park are composting toilets.
There are numerous fast food restaurants within a mile of the park.
If you wish to photograph the Brown Elfin be sure to have a zoom lens as the butterfly is quite flighty. A close-up is possible if you are willing to patiently wait near a laurel bush. Additional sightings of anglewings, Juvenal’s Duskywings, and Mourning Cloaks are possible.
Brown Elfin at Occoneechee Mountain State Park

Sarah P. Duke Gardens Plant Sale
2019-03-30 08:00 - 12:00 | Sarah P. Duke Gardens, 420 Anderson St, Durham, North Carolina, 27708
Backyard Butterflies will be at the Duke Gardens Spring Plant Sale! We will have an assortment of host and nectar plants for purchase–be sure to arrive early as our milkweeds sell out quickly! In addition to have plants we will have live butterflies and chrysalises on display if available, as well as other educational materials, and information about our organization. This event is our main fundraising activity for the year and we would greatly appreciate your support!
We can always use assistance to help out with this event. If you are interested in volunteering with us, please contact us.

Wise Wonderful Women: Hike at Blackwood Farm Park
2019-02-23 10:00 - 12:00 | Blackwood Farm Park, 4215 NC-86, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27514
Join us for our second monthly hike at Blackwood Farm Park just outside of Hillsborough on Hwy 86!
This hike should be suitable for beginners as the trails are easily navigated and traverse gentle terrain. It is recommended to wear sturdy footwear as the natural trails may be muddy.
The total loop of 3.3 miles has been planned to fill the majority of the two hours scheduled if the group walks at a leisurely pace. There is no requirement to complete the entire distance or walk at any required speed. These walks are for socializing, and when spring and summer arrives, to conduct nature walks.

Blackwood Farm Park has public restrooms, picnic area, and 4 miles of trails on approximately 152 acres. In the spring and summer there are wildflowers, butterflies, dragonflies, birds, and more to observe while enjoying a leisurely stroll through the old farm fields.
Registration is appreciated in case there are changes or updates. If you are not a member of the Wise Wonderful Women group on Facebook and would like to join us, please register here, or consider joining us! If you are already a member, simply indicate you plan to go on the events listing. If you have any questions or comments, please contact Lori

Wise Wonderful Women: Hike to Craig Manor at Brumley Forest NP
2019-01-26 10:00 - 12:00 | Brumley Forest NP, 3055 New Hope Church Rd, Chapel Hill, NC, 27514
Stony Creek along trail at Brumley Forest NP North Section
Let’s start off 2019 with a hiking adventure at Brumley Forest Nature Preserve! Located a few miles outside of downtown Hillsborough, this preserve offers an assortment of trails for most experience levels. The hike to the Craig Manor is moderate difficulty and will take about 60 to 90 minutes depending on your speed/pace if you walk the entire 3.5 mile looped route. You may walk any amount of the route and at any speed.
At this time of year there will not be a lot of plants or insects to observe, but we should see a lot of bird activity. I like walking this time of year because it gives a baseline of how Nature looks during Her winter rest.
Trail conditions are packed dirt that have mostly been cleared of roots and other trip hazards. Parts of the trails are through cut, thick field grasses. It is strongly recommended to wear sturdy shoes or hiking footwear.
While there are questionable port-a-potties located at the main access entry, it’s best to consider there are no restroom facilities at this location, nor water fountains or other public amenities. There is an area for picnicking and rest near the pond off of Flat tail Trail. Otherwise there are no benches along the way for resting.
This hiking adventure will take place rain or shine. Cancellation will only be in the case of below freezing temperatures, ice or snow storm. Please dress according to the weather conditions.
Be courteous and register that you will participate in this hike! By registering you will receive updates about hiking plans, and it allows the hike leader to expect your attendance so that you can be with the group. You may cancel your registration if you have a change in plans. Registration is free and easy to do. If you have any questions, please contact Lori.
