Hello Friends!

We hope your 2023 has been getting off to a great start! What birds were your first of the year? Has everyone been seeing their winter favorites like Waxwings, Orioles, or Robins?

In this newsletter we have two new programs planned for you to check out, a thank-you coupon, as well as some winter feeding tips. In addition to the winter feeding tips, it might also be good to start thinking about bird houses. We have been hearing from customers that bluebirds and Brown-headed Nuthatches have been spotted scouting out houses and snags for the upcoming nesting season. Keep an eye out for hopeful nesting pairs in your neck of the woods!

Keep in mind that we continue to offer curbside pickup. If you prefer not to go into the store in person, just give us a call and order on the phone. We will bring it out to your car for you! No contact, safe, and helpful!

Thank you for joining us in this space!

Happy birding!

Winter Bird Feeding Highlight: Shell-free seed

During the winter months some food sources are naturally lower, like some insects and nectar. This may cause more birds to visit your feeders, especially if you are offering all kinds of delicious treats! One of the easiest, cleanest (no shells all over the ground!), options is to start using shell-free seed blends.

Our favorite is the "patio" shell-free medley. This seed blend includes peanut halves, sunflower chips, and shell-free millet. It is a great option for a wide variety of species. Because peanuts and sunflower chips are soft without their shells, birds that don't have shell-crushing equipment built in (like cardinals) can take advantage of them at the feeder. You will see chickadees, wrens, sparrows, blue jays, warblers, and more enjoying this blend. It is a great option! We have this blend available in 5 and 20-pound bags. If you are curious to try it out, start with a 5-lb bag. But it's such a great blend, you'll be back for the big bag in no time!

Two more great feeding options for the winter months: one is to mix dried mealworms into your seed blend. This helps birds get the important protein they might be missing out on with insects harder to find. Second, is to offer fresh clean water in a bird bath or large shallow dish. Like insects, fresh water can be hard to find in the cold months. Let us know if you try any of these things and if you find it helpful!

Senior Days is Back!

Back by popular demand! Senior day is back on Mondays in January! Our senior friends will receive 10% off their purchases on Mondays.

This special is for in-stock items and in-store purchases, excludes optics.

Upcoming Classes & Outings

Birding at North Wrightsville Beach 

Wednesday January 25 | 8:00-11:00 am

Registration is $55 per person

*happening soon!*

Join Jill and Evan on a birding trip to the north end of Wrightsville Beach. This is an important area for shorebirds to rest and refuel. Because of this, visitors can get great looks of flocks of Black Skimmers, Short-billed Dowitchers, mixed-flocks of gulls, and peeps, among others! 100% proceeds will go to the Cape Fear Bird Observatory, a local 501(c)(3) organization working to do long-term research on the birds that depend on the greater Cape Fear Region.

Birding at Burnt Mill Creek 

Tuesday March 7th | 8:00-11:00 am

Registration is $55 per person

Join Jill and Evan on a birding trip to Burnt Mill Creek! This is a great area to some of our favorite species like Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Eastern Bluebirds, and White-throated Sparrows. 100% proceeds will go to the Cape Fear Bird Observatory, a local 501(c)(3) organization working to do long-term research on the birds that depend on the greater Cape Fear Region.

Native Plant Class

March 25th - April 8th | 8:00-9:30 am

Registration for the series (3 classes) is $75 per person

Join Jill and Patrick Bradshaw to learn about the wonders of native plants! The class will focus on layered gardening to enhance habitat. Offering structural variation can really make a difference in the number of species that visit your garden! Patrick and Jill will teach you how and why and with two field trips, you will get to see some great examples in the real world! Don't miss out, register ASAP!

Birding at Johnnie Mercers Pier

Wednesday February 22nd| 7:00-10:00 am

Registration is $55 per person

Join Jill Peleuses and Wayne Hoffman on a visit to Johnnie Mercers pier to look for ducks, seabirds, and shorebirds. This class will be a good opportunity for nature photographers to practice their skills! Birding on the pier can be a great opportunity to see other wildlife like dolphins and sea turtles in addition to birds. Your registration will cover the fee to access the pier.

Birding at Lake Waccamaw

Wednesday April 5th| 8:30-11:30 am

Registration is $55 per person

Join Jill Peleuses and Wayne Hoffman on an outing to Lake Waccamaw!

Lake Waccamaw is the largest of North Carolina’s mysterious “Carolina Bay” lakes. The State Park is along the southeastern shore, and contains a diversity of bird habitats, including pine flatwoods, swampy hardwood forest, and oak-pine sand ridges. We hope to find a variety of spring migrants on this trip.

Thank You for being our customers!

Thank you for your patronage! We are so grateful for our customers and the community we have built here. Here's a coupon to show our appreciation!

*Coupons are valid 1/18-1/25, for in-stock and in-store purchases only, exclude optics and registrations, and cannot be combined with other offers.

Wild Bird & Garden

3501 Oleander Dr, Wilmington, NC 28403 - 910-343-6001

wildbirdgardeninc.com