Backyard Butterflies

Wednesday Walk: JC Raulston Arboretum
2019-04-17 13:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | 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.
