Field Notes

Summer Weather Review
Rainfall Total – 9.09 in
Highest Temperature - 102°F
Lowest Temperature - 59°FF
Average Wind Speed – 5.99 mph

July

Thursday July 3^rd

• Two fawns were flushed from beside a Bluebird box while CWF staff were monitoring. They were likely lying low to stay hidden.

Wednesday July 8^th

• An Eastern Cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus) was observed sitting in the shade.
• A Common Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina) was seen on one of the trails with something in its mouth. It looked to be some leftover dirt or mud from foraging on the rocky sandy trail.
• While resetting wood duck game cameras and spreading corn, staff observed three Egrets and two Green Herons at the far end of Turtle Pond.

Thursday July 9^th

• A patch of Crimson-eyed rosemallow (Hibiscus moscheutos) was observed near one of the ponds on the property. This perennial plant thrives in wet environments which explains the abundant amount seen at this pond.
• A White-tailed doe (Odocoileus virginianus) stood still watching CWF staff approach their UTV.

Friday July 11^th

• While looking out the new office window across the grasslands, staff spotted a fawn lying outside, apparently looking for a place to nap.
• Another Common Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina) was seen on one of the trails and was safely relocated off the path.
• An Eastern Black Rat Snake (Pantherophis quadrivittatus) was found inside an active Bluebird box despite having a predator guard, showing persistence of natural predators.
• A Red-spotted purple (Limenitis arthemis) butterfly was seen on a rocky trail road. Did you know that these species perform a behavior titled “puddling?” This butterfly will absorb moisture from puddles and damp soils to receive the different essential minerals and salts they need.

Monday July 14^th

• Sal Blair, professor at Winthrop University, returned to Carolina Wildlands to conduct another fish survey using electroshocking and kick nets to identify species.
• Field Assistant Smiley was eager to watch the fish survey in action.

Monday July 21^st

• While collecting water quality samples for E.coli testing in Cheraw, staff saw a gar fish floating in Thompson Creek alongside another that appeared to be making a nest.

Thursday July 24^th

• During the weekly bird box monitoring route, CWF staff stopped to appreciate the beauty of the morning sun filtering through the forest.
• A young Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) hatchling was observed resting with its head hanging out of the nest. This mud nest was built right outside of the CWF office door on a man-made structure.

August

Friday August 8^th

• The three fawns born earlier this summer inside the goat pen were seen together again, appearing healthy and more confident as they moved about the enclosure. Their presence has provided staff and interns with an unusual opportunity to watch White-tailed Deer behavior up close.
• While traveling between monitoring sites, an Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus) glided along beside the UTV for several yards.

Monday August 18^th

• During routine water quality sampling, CWF staff paused to watch a Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) wade across the creek. The heron’s slow, deliberate movements as it hunted for fish gave a moment of stillness to an otherwise busy morning of data collection.

Wednesday August 20^th

• An Eastern Cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus) was seen sitting so perfectly still along the edge of a trail that it appeared almost like a photograph. Only the subtle movement of its ears betrayed it as a living animal, a good example of how this species relies on immobility to avoid predators.

Tuesday August 26^th

• While walking a sandy section of trail, staff observed a Red Velvet Ant (Dasymutilla occidentalis), more commonly known as a Cow Killer Ant. Did you know this species is actually a wingless female wasp and not a true ant?

Thursday August 28^th

• On the way down to Otter Pond, staff stopped at the old metal silo that has become a reliable nesting site for Barn Owls (Tyto alba). The 2025 nesting season was again successful, and both the adult female and male were seen resting inside the upper portion of the silo.

Friday August 29^th

• This was Orientation Day for the Fall 2025 interns. They were given a tour of the property and were told about the history of the land, and CWF’s ongoing projects.
• The roots of a tree on the creek bank were observed as erosion has continued to expose more roots as time progresses.