Hello Friends! This Summer is shaping up to be almost back to "normal!" And that is a little scary and a little exciting. We hope you have all been feeling comfortable and safe, and that you are taking solace in nature when you are overwhelmed, the way we learned to this past year and a half or so. Fortunately, there are sweet baby birds in our nest boxes and adorable fledglings hopping around our yards to keep our spirits up and our hearts full! Summer is a great time to stay stocked up on meal worms and sunflower chips for hungry parents and babies! And with temperatures in the 80's and 90's, it is also a good idea to offer fresh, clean, water if you can. This Sunday is Father's Day and that means it is the perfect time to show our dads and father figures how much we appreciate them! After a tough year, they deserve it! Thank you to all the folks who have been sharing their bird photos with us! It is always worth mentioning that we love to hear your bird news too! Thank you for joining us in this space!

Native Plant Presale

We have another wonderful native plant presale from our friends at Going Native Gardens! THIS IS THE LAST PRESALE FOR THE SUMMER! Order your plants starting Thursday 6/17 through Sunday 6/20. Pickup is on Monday 6/21 in Wilmington and Wednesday 6/23 in Southport. In addition to the usual presale of native plants this week, we will also be offering a pop up display of a variety of plants that are available in small numbers. These plants will be available outside the Wilmington store on Monday, June 21. You may pick up your choices and take them inside for payment. Each plant will have a posted price. A variety of native plants will be available in small numbers. The display will include Hoary Skullcap, Carolina Wild Petunia, Maryland Golden Aster, Swamp Milkweed, Ironweed, Whorled Milkweed, Crimson-eyed Rose Mallow—and others. We will also offer some vegetable and herb plants including tomatoes, basil, parsley. Some of these plants are in limited supply, so make sure and call in your order ASAP! 910-343-6001 for Wilmington and 910-457-9453 for Southport. Keep in mind that Southport is not open on Sundays. Sizes and Prices are listed below.

Seashore Mallow (Kosteletzkya pentacarpos) Attracts many pollinators including hummingbirds and butterflies Height: 3-5 feet tall Sun: Full sun to part shade Soil: prefers marshes, but adapts to average soil $12 for approximately 3-quart pots Green Headed Cone Flower (Rudbeckia laciniata) Attracts birds and has a special value to honey bees! Height: 3-6 feet Sun: Full sun to part shade Soil: Likes moist areas even though it is drought tolerant Blooms: Late summer through fall $10 for approximately 1-gallon pots

Beauty Berry (Callicarpa americana) Many birds eat these berries in the fall and winter! Height: Up to 9 feet!! Sun: Sun or partial shade Soil: Moist to dry $10 for approximately 3-quart pots Stokes Aster (Stokesia laevis) Nectar from this plant attracts bumble bees and butterflies! Height: 1-2 feet Sun: Full sun to part shade Soil: Drought resistant Blooms: Late summer $10 for approximately 3-quart pots

Father's Day

After a challenging year, we want to show our dads and fatherly figures just how grateful we are for them! For their steadfastness and their humor. For their reliability. Thank you, dads! We know some dads who are very into their landscaping. And many who love spending time outside, trimming their hedges and cleaning their bird feeders. And we know some dads who love getting up early to go to the their favorite local park to bird. We have got what you need for any of these dads! We have a great stock of Fancy Houses (Made in NC!) and gorgeous bird baths at the Wilmington and Southport locations! The right fancy house, feeder, or bird bath can really make any yard look fantastic. Not to mention they are functional and useful for our feathered friends! Plus, we have some excellent binoculars for a fatherly birder in need of an upgrade! Come in and see us! Bluebird on bird bath photo, Stephen Henne

Upcoming Classes & Bird Walks

Walks in the works!  We are currently getting plans in order for a fall migration class which will include lecture and field trip components as well as a day trip! So, watch this space and our website for some dates and prices to come! Winter Bird Class  We will be offering a class on Winter birds this November! This class will include one lecture to be held in person (with a live online option available) and two field trips to great local birding spots! The lecture is scheduled for 6:30 pm Tuesday 11/2 and field trips will be 8:30-10:30 am on Tuesdays 11/9 and 11/16. Registration will be $65 each. This will be a really fun class, so sign up ASAP! **Father's Day gift potential! Big thanks to Sandy Winfrey for this picture of a lovely Blue Jay Wrightsville Beach If you are in the area it is worth visiting the colony at the south end of Wrightsville Beach. The Wrightsville Beach Bird Stewards are absolutely amazing! They will happily discuss the breeding biology of the birds in the colony, the species nesting there, and point them out to you! Right now there are American Oystercatchers, Gull-billed Terns, Common Terns, Least Terns, and Black Skimmers all nesting on the beach there.

Shop Talk

Want to learn more about the birds in our area? Join our staff!! Have you ever considered joining the Wild Bird and Garden family? If you are (or if someone you know is) looking for some part-time work, we would love for you to join us in the Southport store! We need someone who can work independently on Mondays in Southport. This person should be warm and welcoming and be able to lift 40-50 pounds. We we happily teach you all the bird information, so don't worry if you are new to birds. Please email us at the Bird Store if you are interested!

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