Hello Friends!
Welcome to the annual Cape Fear In-Between Season! We'll admit that most people never learned about this season when they were in school. But anyone who has lived through a February/March or two in this region has definitely experienced it: Winter is not quite over and Spring has not quite arrived, and you can expect to see and feel signs of both on any given day. We still have the company of our cold-weather birds, but are starting to see some preparations and behaviors appropriate for nesting season. This is a fantastic time of year to grab the binoculars and head outside! Just remember to bundle up or bring extra sunscreen, depending on which season decides to join us that day.

Winter may have a few more chilly nights up its sleeve, but we're already making plans for the garden and are so excited to be able to offer a nice schedule of native plant sales again this year.  Check our website from time to time - we will add new sale dates to the schedule as they arise. 

Dark-eyed Junco (Winter) and Cherry Buds (Spring): 'Tis the Season(s)!
Spring Native Plant Sales

We are excited to be teaming up with wonderful local growers Joyce and Mindy from Going Native Gardens to offer a full schedule of Native Plant Sales again this Spring! Choosing native plants is one of the best ways to provide natural food and habitat for our area's birds, butterflies, and insects; stop by and pick out some plants that will encourage a variety of beneficial wildlife to visit your garden oasis!

Click here for the most current sale schedule, and check back often - we'll be adding more sales to the schedule throughout the year!

Mark you calendars for our next Native Plant Sale!
Saturday March 7 | 10 - 12:30 | Wilmington
Birding Kayaking Adventures

Join Wild Bird & Garden and Mahanaim Adventures for some great birding out on our local waters. Excursions are $55 per person, and include all kayak equipment and guide services. Single and double kayaks are available, and all skill levels are welcome! Tours run 8:30 - 11:30 am unless otherwise noted. Reservations required.

Our 2020 Birding Kayaking Schedule:

March 31 Rice's Creek
April 30 Cape Fear Osprey Nest Tour 
Sept 17 Masonboro Island Tour  
Sept 24 Holly Shelter Tour 
Oct 30 Full Moon Owl Prowl Tour (4:30 - 8:30pm)

Space is limited, and pre-registration is required. To reserve CLICK HERE to visit Mahanaim's online registration service or call: (910) 547-8252.
Southport Seminar: Nesting Season Basics
Wednesday, March 18
8:30 - 10am

Join us at our Southport location for a special program on the basics of Nesting Season. Learn all about the preferred nesting habitat for our area's breeding birds and how to encourage nesting right in your yard. You'll pick up lots of great tips that will help promote a successful nesting season this year!  

Advance registration and $5 fee required. All attendees will receive a $5 shopping voucher. Space is limited, so call or stop in to register soon!
Get Ready for Spring Nesting

No, it is not too early to think about nesting season! Now is the time to make sure your nest boxes are clean and open for business, and it's also a great time to consider adding a few more to your home habitat. 

Think about what birds you'd like to see nesting near you, and stop in to chat with us about how to help make that happen. One size does not fit all when it comes to nest boxes for birds, and we can advise you on house choice and location, as well as the best seed and food types to offer. Stop in soon!
Airlie Gardens Bird Walk
Wednesday, March 11
8:00 - 9:30am

Join us for our Bird Walk at Airlie Gardens on the second Wednesday of each month. Airlie Gardens has wonderful bird habitat including marsh, fresh water ponds, wooded habitat and open lawns. While the walk is always relaxed, our binoculars are usually busy! Regular Airlie admission applies (free for Airlie members), or stop by Wild Bird & Garden to pick up a $2 admission discount voucher for the walk.
Bird Photography Beginner Class
April 8 & 14 

Join wildlife photographer Jack Eyler for a special two-session class that will cover bird photography basics, offer tips and personalized feedback, and provide real-time guidance out in the field.

Session One:  Class lecture covering the basics of bird photography (bring your camera equipment).

Session Two: Class review of students' photos with time for feedback and questions, and then bird photography in the field.  

Class is $80 per person. Class size is limited to 12, and pre-registration is required. Stop by either store or give us a call at (910) 343-6001 to register soon! 
Azalea Garden Tour: We Have Tickets!

Cape Fear Garden Club's 2020 Azalea Garden Tour: They are the hottest tickets in town, and you can find them at our Wilmington location! Tickets are $35 each and are good for all three days April 3-5. Limited quantities available, cash or check only please! Looking for more information about this year's tour and gardens? Click HERE!
Thank you  for taking the time to read our latest news. We hope you're enjoying the in-between season as much as we are, but let's face it: the anticipation of Spring (along with early signs of its arrival) is just so exciting! It's a wonderful time to be outdoors, whether watching for birds or working in the garden (or both!). This year, we're continuing our focus on replacing the plants that were lost during previous hurricane seasons with native plants that will offer more to our birds, butterflies, and other wildlife in the region. These plants are also better-suited to withstand the local meteorological challenges that can sometimes occur. We hope you'll join us in this effort in your own home habitats! 

Happy Birding!
  Jill and the  Wild Bird & Garden Team



* In-Between Season Savings *

We have lots of beautiful new items arriving in the stores daily. Present this coupon for 20% OFF any one in-stock item. Excludes optics and sale items. Forward to a friend or two - we don't mind a bit!

Offer Expires 02/29/2020.
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