June 2017

Hello Everyone.

Last month we enjoyed another overnight trip to Hell Hole Swamp in Francis Marion National Forest. Folks in attendance included Rita Zollinger, Pat and Jerry Bright, Marsha and Bob Hamlin, Greg Ross, Paul Kalbach, Kim McManus, Dave Schruetrum, Win Ott, Jeff Kline, Jackie Burns, Carl Cole, Caroline Eastman, Shannon Edwards, Ben Gregory, Linda Lee, Alison Smith, Marty and Dave Kastner, Chance Feimster, Keenan Freitas, and Gordon Murphy. There were a number of friends and family that also attended, but I did not get everyone’s name.

Once again our base camp was the Hell Hole Road campground. This was our fourth year taking part in the annual ‘Under a Low Country Moon’ interpretive weekend. After our introductions and announcements at the campground on Saturday morning, we caravanned to the intersection of Hell Hole Road and Tiger Corner Road. We parked along the road and did some exploring here. There is an active red-cockaded woodpecker (RCW) colony located on the north corner. Memorial Day weekend is always a great time for viewing RCWs as the parents are making frequent trips to and from the nest cavities feeding their hungry and very vocal young. On the south corner of intersection, there is an area that the Forest Service burned last year. Pine trees dominate the forested area and the understory vegetation was about knee high last month. When standing at the road the area appears to be relatively flat, however, when walking through the area, you realize that there are many slight depressions in the soil that harbor wetland plant species. Some of the depressions appear to have been created by disturbance associated with previous logging activity. These depressions create microhabitats in the forest as evidenced by the changes in the plant species. Three different pine species are present, depending on the hydrology of the spot where you are standing. Longleaf and loblolly pines were predominant, but in the wetland microhabitats, pond pine was present and the herbaceous layer included sundews, sun-bonnets, sphagnum moss, iris, and hooded pitcher plants. One of our native orchids, common grass-pink (Calopogon tuberosus) was observed in the ditch beside the road as well as scattered in the burned pine-forest. The next stop for the day was at Bay. This is always an interesting spot for wildflowers. We observed many of the plant species that we usually find here in May but this year the bay was not completely inundated like it was last year. Water was still present in the middle of the bay and in the depression wetland located adjacent and to the west. An alligator and an anhinga were observed in the smaller wetland. One plant that we hoped to find at Florida Bay was spreading pagonia (Cleistes divaricata), but were disappointed that it was not present this year.

The last stop of the day was at the pitcher plant bog on Farewell Corner Road. This is another great wildflower spot that we usually explore when at Francis Marion Forest. This area has changed a good bit since we first explored it four years ago. The undergrowth has gotten much thicker and hopefully the Forest Service will burn it before we return. We spent only a short time here, as we needed to be back at camp by 5:00 for the potluck dinner. We were rewarded for stopping here, as we were able to find the spreading pagonia here.

The potluck dinner was just as awesome, if not more so, as it has been in the past. There was lots of good food and as always, the socializing was great. A few of us camped for the night and did some more road cruising looking for herps. Several herps were found while cruising the roads over the weekend. A few of notable finds were Win’s mud snake, Greg’s scarlet snake, and Jackie’s eastern glass lizard.

Sunday morning more road cruising and botanizing was done.

Thanks go out to the Under a Low Country Moon for sharing your event with SCAN, to Paul Kalbach for trip coordination efforts, and a big thanks to all of the participants that brought wonderful dishes to share at the potluck dinner!

This month we are heading to a new addition to SCDNR’s Heritage Preserve/WMA system in the Central Region. We will be visiting the Wateree River Heritage Preserve/WMA. I hope to see you all there!

Wateree River Heritage Preserve/Wildlife Management Area Richland County, SC 10:30 AM, June 24, 2017

Our June trip will be to Wateree River HP/WMA in Richland County. This area contains the former Cook’s Mountain Tract and a portion of the Goodwill Tract. It was transferred to SC DNR on June 2, 2015. It contains 3,677 acres adjoining the Wateree River. It was protected as partial mitigation for the Haile Gold Mine Project in Lancaster County. It combines an interesting mix of wetlands and drier areas.

The June date was chosen to avoid the Saturday hunting activities allowed on the property. If there is sufficient interest, we may schedule a special during cooler weather next year.

Soon after you enter the property, you reach the first check-in kiosk [0.4 miles]. We will meet at this first kiosk at 10:30. From there we will go to the Fish Pond area, which has a large parking lot. In addition to the pond, there is extensive open area, including a power line right of way. After exploring the pond area, we will make our way to the top of Cook’s Mountain and enjoy the overlook and lunch. There is reasonable parking here as well. After lunch there are lots of roads and trails to explore. There are only four large parking areas, however; one of these [the second kiosk] is designated for equestrian use. Smaller groups or carpools are recommended for the rest of the roads. We are starting at the open pond area so we can explore the relatively cooler shady areas later as the day heats up.

There are almost 10 miles of drivable roads in addition to an extensive network of trails and closed roads. We scouted the area in a Volt, which managed all of the roads without problems. Most of the side roads end at gates. Usually there is a reasonable area to turn around at the gate. We had to do a multi-point turn at the end of Turnip Patch, however.

We have requested extra maps. However, these are not guaranteed. A scanned copy is included with the newsletter; you may want to print your own copy.

The first part of the main road goes by property owned by someone sensitive to possible trespass. This property is VERY WELL MARKED! Do not trespass. Try very hard not to spy a great snake or rare plant on this property. I have been told that people have been charged for trespassing here.

Dinner will be at Mr. Bunky’s Restaurant, which is 7.6 miles west on US 378 from the preserve entrance. They have an extensive menu as well as a hot bar and a salad bar. The hot bar is not a buffet; it is meat and two sides. Service from the menu can be slow. So, if you are in a hurry, one of the bars would be the appropriate choice. There are also limited beer and wine options. Mr. Bunky’s has a farm supply store and meat market downstairs and a mini antique mall downstairs. So, if you are in need of a wrench or light bulb, you can pick one up.

Directions:

From the intersection of US 601 and 378, drive east approximately 1.84 miles and turn left on Goodwill Road.

To get to Mr. Bunky’s from Wateree River HP/WMA. Turn right on US 378. Drive 7.6 miles. The restaurant will be on the left (south side of the road).

Wateree River HP/WMA Hiking Trails Map

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Hell Hole, Francis Marion Nat. Forest Berkeley Co., SC May 27, 2017

This list was produced by SCAN Pickerelweed Coastal Sweet Pepperbush Eastern Poison Ivy from sightings produced by SCAN cordata alnifolia Toxicodendron radicans members and is subject to revision as needed. An asterisk (*) indicates Northern White Colic-root Shining Fetterbush radicans a new sighting for SCAN. Send Aletris farinosa Lyonia lucida Centella any changes or corrections to Tom Flag Black Cherry Centella erecta Jones at [email protected]. Iris tridentata Prunus serotina serotina Rattlesnake-master Please indicate exactly to which flora/fauna list you are referring. Bamboo-vine Swamp Rose Eryngium yuccifolium Thank you. Smilax laurifolia Rosa palustris Carolina Jessamine Common Grass-pink Mimosa Gelsemium sempervirens FLORA Calopogon tuberosus Albizia julibrissin Indian-hemp tuberosus Bicolor Lespedeza Apocynum cannabinum Cinnamon Fern Large Spreading Pogonia Lespedeza bicolor Few-flower Milkweed Osmunda cinnamomea Cleistesiopsis divaricata Sericea Asclepias lanceolata Royal Fern Sweetbay Lespedeza cuneata Savanna Milkweed Osmunda regalis spectabilis Magnolia virginiana White Sweetclover Asclepias longifolia Bracken Swamp Bay Melilotus albus -weed Pteridium aquilinum Persea palustris Kudzu Asclepias tuberosa Virginia Chain Fern Lizard's-tail Pueraria montana lobata Eastern Anglepod Woodwardia virginica Saururus cernuus Dollarweed Gonolobus suberosus Resurrection Fern White Water-lily Rhynchosia reniformis Horse-nettle Pleopeltis polypodioides Nymphaea odorata odorata Scarlet Sesban Solanum carolinense michauxiana Sweet Gum Sesbania punicea carolinense Longleaf Pine Liquidambar styraciflua Virginia Goat's-rue Beautyberry Pinus palustris Winged Elm Tephrosia virginiana Callicarpa americana Pond Pine Ulmus alata Mermaid-weed Common Skullcap Pinus serotina Common Wax-myrtle Proserpinaca palustris Scutellaria integrifolia Loblolly Pine Morella cerifera Water Tupelo Blue Water-hyssop Pinus taeda Turkey Oak Nyssa aquatica Bacopa caroliniana Pond-cypress Quercus laevis Little Gallberry Carolina Wild-petunia Taxodium ascendens Water Oak Ilex glabra Ruellia caroliniensis Bald-cypress Quercus nigra Myrtle Holly Coral Honeysuckle Taxodium distichum Live Oak Ilex myrtifolia Lonicera sempervirens Dwarf Palmetto Quercus virginiana Queen's-delight Common Elderberry Sabal minor St. Andrew's Cross Stillingia sylvatica sylvatica Sambucus canadensis Common Bogbutton Hypericum hypericoides Supplejack Sunbonnets Lachnocaulon anceps Eastern Rose-mallow Berchemia scandens Chaptalia tomentosa Common Rush Hibiscus moscheutos Virginia-creeper Common Yellow Thistle Juncus effusus solutus Yellow Pitcherplant Parthenocissus quinquefolia Cirsium horridulum Narrowleaf Whitetop Sedge Sarracenia flava Muscadine horridulum Rhynchospora colorata Hooded Pitcherplant Vitis rotundifolia Bull Thistle Broadleaf Whitetop Sedge Sarracenia minor minor rotundifolia Cirsium vulgare Rhynchospora latifolia Passionflower Orange Milkwort Pool Coreopsis Switch Cane Passiflora incarnata Polygala lutea Coreopsis falcata Arundinaria tecta Swamp Cottonwood Red Maple Blackroot Bahia Grass Populus heterophylla Acer rubrum Pterocaulon pycnostachyum notatum Black Willow Winged Sumac Black-eyed Susan Narrowleaf Cattail Salix nigra Rhus copallinum Rudbeckia hirta Typha angustifolia Ti-ti Poison Oak Cyrilla racemiflora Toxicodendron pubescens

FAUNA Darkling Beetle Luna Moth Banded Water Snake Alobates morio Actias luna Nerodia fasciata Elongate Cannibal Snail Tile-horned Longhorn Beetle White-dotted Prominent Rough Green Snake Euglandia rosea Prionus imbricornis Moth Opheodrys aestivus Crab-shaped Spiny-back Carolina Sawyer Beetle Nadata gibbosa Glossy Crayfish Snake Gasteracantha cancriformis Monochamus carolinensis Harnessed Tiger Moth * Regina rigida Long-jawed Orb-weaver Long -horned Beetle * Apantesis phalerata Eastern Ribbon Snake Tetragnatha sp. * Leptostylus transversus Smallmouth Bass Thamnophis sauritus Green Lynx Spider Pipevine Swallowtail Micropterus dolomieui Eastern Garter Snake Peucetia viridans Battus philenor Oak Toad Thamnophis sirtalis Tick Black Swallowtail Anaxyrus quercicus Copperhead Amblyomma sp. Papilio polyxenes Southern Toad Agkistrodon contortrix Southern Mole Cricket Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Anaxyrus terrestris Cottonmouth; Water * Neoscapteriscus borellii Papilio glaucus Squirrel Treefrog Moccasin Forest Cockroach Palamedes Swallowtail Hyla squirella Agkistrodon piscivorus * Ectobius sylvestris Papilio palamedes Little Grass Frog Anhinga; Snakebird Western Leaf-footed Bug Cloudless Sulphur Pseudacris ocularis Anhinga anhinga * Leptoglossus clypealis Phoebis sennae eubule Bullfrog Black-crowned Night-Heron Assassin Bug Sleepy Orange Lithobates catesbiana Nycticorax nycticorax * Rasahus hamatus Abaeis nicippe Carpenter Frog Green-backed Heron Fishfly Gray Hairstreak Lithobates virgatipes Butorides striatus Chauliodes pectinicornis Strymon melinus American Alligator Little Blue Heron Red Imported Fire Ant Gulf Fritillary Alligator mississippiensis Egretta caerulea Solenopsis invicta Agraulis vanillae Box Turtle Snowy Egret American Bumblebee Pearl Crescent (butterfly) Terrapene carolina Egretta thula Bombus pensylvanicus Phyciodes tharos Yellow-bellied Slider Great Egret Asian Tiger Mosquito Question Mark (butterfly) Trachemys scripta scripta Casmerodius albus * Aedes albopictus Polygonia interrogationis Eastern Mud Turtle Great Blue Heron Halloween Pennant Common Buckeye (butterfly) Kinosternon subrubrum Ardea herodias (dragonfly) Junonia coenia Green Anole Wood Stork Celithemis eponina Viceroy; Mimic Anolis carolinensis Mycteria americana Eastern Pondhawk Limenitis archippus Eastern Fence Lizard White Ibis Erythemis simplicicollis Georgia Satyr (butterfly) Sceloporus undulatus Eudocimus albus Blue Dasher Neonympha areolata Five-lined Skink Killdeer Pachydiplax longipennis Monarch (butterfly) Plestiodon fasciatus Charadrius vociferus Bombardier Beetle Danaus plexippus Slender Glass Lizard Turkey Vulture * Brachinus medius Dun Ophisaurus attenuatus Cathartes aura Bombardier Beetle Euphyes vestris Eastern Glass Lizard Black Vulture * Brachinus rugipennis Horace's Duskywing Ophisaurus ventralis Coragyps atratus Predacious Diving Beetle Erynnis horatius Scarlet Snake Bald Eagle Hydaticus bimarginatus White Checkered Skipper Cemophora coccinea Haliaeetus leucocephalus Scarab Beetle Pyrgus albescens Black Racer Mississippi Kite Deltochilum gibbosum Fiery Skipper Coluber constrictor Ictinia mississippiensis gibbosum Hylephila phyleus Eastern Ratsnake American Swallow-tailed Shining Leaf Chafer Crossline Skipper Pantherophis alleghaniensis Kite Anomala marginata Polites origenes Mud Snake Elanoides forficatus Flower Scarab Beetle Southern Broken-Dash Farancia abacura Red-shouldered Hawk Trichiotinus piger * otho Corn Snake Buteo lineatus Blind Elater Byssus Skipper Pantherophis guttata Red-tailed Hawk Alaus myops byssus Eastern Kingsnake Buteo jamaicensis Lizard Beetle Dion Skipper Lampropeltis getula Northern Bobwhite * Languria discoidea * Euphyes dion Red-bellied Water Snake Colinus virginianus Pleasing Fungus Beetle Imperial Moth Nerodia erythrogaster Wild Turkey Ischyrus quadripunctatus Eacles imperialis erythrogaster Meleagris gallopavo Spotless Lady Beetle Polyphemus Moth Plainbelly Water Snake Mourning Dove Cycloneda sanguinea Antheraea polyphemus Nerodia erythrogaster alta Zenaida macroura Yellow-billed Cuckoo European Starling Coccyzus americanus Sturnus vulgaris Barred Owl White-eyed Vireo Strix varia Vireo griseus Chuck-will's-widow Red-Eyed Vireo Caprimulgus carolinensis Vireo olivaceus Whip-poor-will Prothonotary Warbler Caprimulgus vociferus Protonotaria citrea Ruby-throated Northern Parula Hummingbird Parula americana Archilochus colubris Black-and-white Warbler Red-bellied Woodpecker Mniotilta varia Melanerpes carolinus Prairie Warbler Red-headed Woodpecker Dendroica discolor Melanerpes erythrocephalus Pine Warbler Downy Woodpecker Dendroica pinus Picoides pubescens Kentucky Warbler Red-cockaded Woodpecker Oporornis formosus Picoides borealis Hooded Warbler Pileated Woodpecker Wilsonia citrina Dryocopus pileatus Ovenbird Eastern Kingbird Seiurus aurocapillus Tyrannus tyrannus Common Yellowthroat Great Crested Flycatcher Geothlypis trichas Myiarchus crinitus Northern Cardinal Eastern Wood-pewee Cardinalis cardinalis Contopus virens Indigo Bunting Eastern Phoebe Passerina cyanea Sayornis phoebe Eastern Towhee Acadian Flycatcher Pipilo erythrophthalmus Empidonax virescens Brown-headed Cowbird Blue Jay Molothrus ater Cyanocitta cristata Common Grackle American Crow Quiscalus quiscula Corvus brachyrhynchos Summer Tanager Fish Crow Piranga rubra Corvus ossifragus Nine-banded Armadillo Carolina Chickadee Dasypus novemcinctus Parus carolinensis Gray Squirrel Brown-headed Nuthatch Sciurus carolinensis Sitta pusilla Coyote Carolina Wren Canis latrans Thryothorus ludovicianus Raccoon Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Procyon lotor Polioptila caerulea Wild Pig Eastern Bluebird Sus scrofa Sialia sialis White-tailed Deer American Robin Odocoileus virginianus Turdus migratorius Gray Catbird Dumetella carolinensis Northern Mockingbird Mimus polyglottos Brown Thrasher Toxostoma rufum