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Summer is in full swing with lots of adult and new young songbirds looking for a good meal at your feeders. Hummingbird activity is picking up again, with frequent visits to and territorial behavior around nectar feeders. Support your busy birds by providing fresh seed and nectar throughout the summer - as you know, we have a variety of the freshest seeds, seed mixes, and suets for every backyard bird.
Fall is right around the corner, and we're planning a busy season full of special classes, native plant sales, and events. We hope you'll join us as the new season ushers in weather that will be just perfect for bird walks, field trips, and working in the garden!
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Native Plant Pre-Sale!
We're working with Going Native Gardens to offer a special pre-sale of two fantastic native plants for your garden. These varieties are sure to add a pollinator-friendly pop of color and excitement to your home habitat!
Hibiscus coccineus
Tall perennial stalks
Giant red flowers
Summer/Autumn bloom
Height: 4 - 8 feet
Full sun/partial sun
Amsonia tabernaemontana
Small perennial shrub
Blue flowers
Spring blooms
Height: 2 - 3 feet
Full sun/partial shade
Plants are $10 each and quantities are limited. We'll be taking orders until September 15 or while supplies last. Pick-up will be in October. These will probably sell out quickly, so stop in or give us a call soon if you're interested.
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Is This Bird Okay?
We receive lots of questions about balding birds at this time of year. We can understand the concern: these birds definitely look ragged and unwell! However, in the vast majority of cases, they are undergoing a perfectly normal process called molting. During molting, feathers that are full-grown and no longer connected to a bird's blood supply are shed in order to make way for fresh new feathers to come in. Molting usually takes place a short time after breeding season (i.e. now) so the new feathers have time to grow in and look enchanting for the next breeding season. No need to worry!
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Fall Semester Birding Class
Sept 26 - Nov 10
Registration for our Fall Semester Birding Class is now open! Expand your identification skills, learn a bit about the science behind the study of birds, and see an exciting variety of birds in action during their annual fall migration. Space is limited! Cost is $75 per person and includes all class sessions.
CLICK HERE
for more details.
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Fall Semester Native Plants Class
Sept 5 - Nov 14
Curious about the benefits and uses of native plants and how to incorporate them into your home habitat? Join us for a special set of classes that will introduce you to our region's native plants and teach the basics of how to create a hardy and beneficial landscape right in your yard. Space is limited! Cost is $75 per person and includes all class sessions.
CLICK HERE
for more class details.
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OLLI Fall Birding Class
The Birds of Southeastern North Carolina: Fall and Winter Migratory Species
Located along the "Atlantic Flyway", Southeastern North Carolina is a haven for many different bird species. Join Wild Bird and Garden's Jill Peleuses for a series of bird walks to discover the birds of our region. During this class we will focus on birds and their habitats. We will adventure to the coast, fresh water lake, marsh, and woodlands to discover a variety of species in their natural environments. Throughout this class students observe and learn how to identify fall migrants, backyard birds, shorebirds, and resident songbirds.
September 16 | 8 - 10 a.m. | Class: Fall and Winter Birds of SE NC
September 17 | 8:30 - 10:30 a.m. | Airlie Gardens
October 15 | 8:30 - 10:30 a.m. | Fort Fisher Area
November 19 | 8:30 - 10:30 a.m. | Greenfield Lake
This class is offered through the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UNCW. Registration opens on August 20 and 21. Please visit the OLLI website to learn more and to register.
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Birding Kayaking Excursions
Join Wild Bird & Garden and
Mahanaim Adventures for some great fall birding out on our local waters. Excursions are $55 per person and include all kayak equipment and guide services. Single and tandem boats are available for all excursions, and all skill levels are welcome. Space is limited, and registration is required. To register, visit the
Mahanaim Adventures website or call: (910) 547-8252.
Our Fall Excursions:
Friday August 23: Cape Fear Wading Birds Tour (8:30 - 12)
Friday September 13: Full Moon Owl Prowl Tour (5 - 9)
Tuesday October 1: Masonboro Island Tour (8:30 - 12)
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Lake Mattamuskeet & Outer Banks Birding Weekend
Fri Nov 22 - Sun Nov 24
Join us for our 6th annual weekend of birding at Lake Mattamuskeet and the Outer Banks. We'll be visiting some of the region's most exceptional birding hot spots and habitats, which should yield an impressive variety of birds sighted. You can find more details about our plans
HERE.
Cost for the trip includes beachfront hotel on Nags Head and is $335 (Ocean View) or $315 (Sound View). Prices are per person, double occupancy. Pre-registration is required by
Nov 1 and space is limited. Call or stop in soon to register for this fun annual event!
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Fall Native Plant Sales
After a short summer hiatus, wonderful local growers Joyce and Mindy from Going Native Gardens will be back with a series of Native Plant Sales at our stores this fall. Mark your calendars for your chance to pick up some locally-grown plants that will provide natural food and habitat for our area's birds, butterflies, and other pollinators!
Our Fall Plant Sale Dates:
Southport: (Thursdays) Sept 5 & Oct 3 | 10 - 12:30
Wilmington: (Saturdays) Sept 7, Sept 14, Oct 5, & Oct 19 | 10 - 12:30
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Upcoming Events
Airlie Gardens Bird Walk
Wednesday, August 14 | 8:00 - 9:30
Meet in Airlie's Main Parking Lot
Join Jill Peleuses and Airlie Gardens Environmental educators for a relaxed bird walk at scenic Airlie Gardens. Airlie offers a wide range of super birding habitats, and we always see an interesting variety of birds. Regular Airlie admission applies, or stop by Wild Bird & Garden to pick up a $2 admission discount voucher for this month's walk.
Southport Bird Walk
Wednesday, August 21 | 8:30 - 9:30
Meet at Wild Bird & Garden Southport, 105 E Brown Street
Join Wild Bird & Garden staff for a relaxed birding stroll around Southport's historic downtown and waterfront areas. This walk is free and open to all!
Wrightsville Beach Bird Steward Bird Walks
Mondays at 9AM
Meet at Gazebo at WB Public Access #43
Join Audubon NC Wrightsville Beach Bird Stewards for a bird walk to view the nesting colony of Black Skimmers, Common Terns and American Oystercatchers. Stewards will have spotting scopes and visual aids to share the challenges beach nesting birds face when incubating eggs and raising chicks on the hot sand and busy beach. The walk is free; parking is limited and requires a fee. Consider carpooling with friends!
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Thanks so much for taking the time to read our newsletter. We hope that you're having an enjoyable summer, and we look forward to seeing you soon - either in the stores for some shopping and
bird talk, or enjoying a
bird walk out and about with the summer birds. Please let us know if you have any questions about the various special fall classes and birding events that we have planned; we're excited for ALL of them and hope that you'll be able to join us! Until then: enjoy your summer, don't forget the sunscreen, and...
Happy Birding!
Jill and the
Wild Bird & Garden Team
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20% SUMMER SAVINGS! 20%
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Present this coupon for 20% OFF ANY IN-STOCK ITEM in our stores. Feel free to forward this coupon to your family and friends!
Offer Expires 09/01/2019. Special orders, optics, and classes/trips excluded.
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