Description: Paulette Haywood & Sara Bright, co-authors of Butterflies of Alabama and administrators of the Alabama Butterfly Atlas, (albutterflyatlas@gmail.com), will lead.
June is an exciting month to look for butterflies in the Talladega NF Shoal Creek District. Butterfly milkweed should be blooming, and is a nectar magnet for many species, including swallowtails, hairstreaks, and fritillaries. This is Alabama's premier spot to see Diana fritillaries in the southern limit of their Alabama range. We may see the orange/brown males (see photo) and the blue/black females. A close cousin, the Great Spangled Fritillary, is often seen here. Butterfly enthusiasts of all skill levels are welcome; binoculars enhance the experience.
LOCATION DETAILS: Restrooms are available at the meeting point.
A fee of $3 per vehicle is required for day use. Purchase day pass for Coleman Lake Day here. Cell service is not available in much of this area. No food is available in the national forest, so bring drinks, snacks, or lunch. Bring sunscreen and insect repellent. Sturdy shoes are advised.
TRAVEL INFORMATION : We will gather in the Coleman Lake Recreation Area parking lot in the national forest.
ADDRESS: Meeting place, CR 553D, Fruithurst, AL.
Allow at least 90 minutes from Birmingham. The entrance road GPS is 33.7893, -85.5561. Follow the road to the parking lot with the pay station. We will take a short walk near the boat ramps, then consolidate vehicles and visit nectar "hot spots" along FSR 500, Coleman Lake Road, and the Pine Glen campsite. Most walking is along the roadsides.
Trip Leaders: Matt Hunter // (205) 460-9546
Accessibility : We will travel on mostly flat road and gravel trail surfaces. Most of the terrain is flat, but tripping hazards, such as debris, holes, rocks, or sticks, may be present and may not be suitable for all people.
Photograph Owner & Credits // Matt Hunter