New Nest, Same Wild Wonder
If the feeders in your backyard have seemed a little quiet lately, Christina Darlington, owner of Wild Birds Unlimited in Georgetown has good news: the birds are fine. In fact, they are probably doing exactly what they are supposed to do. “This time of year, don’t take it to heart if you’re not seeing a lot of activity at your feeders,” she says. “Everything out in nature has gone to seed, and that’s what the birds should be doing — eating the natural food.”
Fall is a season of abundance for birds. Trees, grasses, and flowering plants are producing seeds, berries, nuts, and insects, creating a natural buffet that can draw birds away from backyard feeders for a while. After good rains, seed crops can be especially plentiful, and live oaks heavy with acorns may even explain why the squirrels seem less interested in raiding the feeders. Migration also plays a role. Many summer birds have moved on, while winter visitors may not have arrived yet, especially when warm weather lingers.
But backyard bird lovers should not pack up yet. Christina encourages customers to keep feeders clean and stocked, and continue offering fresh water. “Keep the water out,” she says. “My bluebirds are still losing their minds in my bird bath.”
A Fresh Perch
That kind of practical, seasonal advice is part of what has made Wild Birds Unlimited a favorite stop for people who love their backyard wildlife, and now customers have a new place to visit. Christina officially opened her new Wild Birds Unlimited location on Rt 29 October 1, after outgrowing her previous store.
The new 2,400-square-foot shop gives her more room, better visibility, and a more open, welcoming layout. It also offers something customers will appreciate immediately: easier parking. For a store that regularly carries seed out for customers, including many older customers, having her own parking lot makes a real difference.
The move was no small project. The building had previously been an office space with multiple rooms, and Christina invested heavily in transforming it into a bright, open retail space. Even with a few finishing touches still to come, she says the response has been encouraging. A Wild Birds Unlimited vice president recently visited and called it a “showcase store.”
The new location also includes a backyard bird feeding station visible through a large window that faces a peaceful view, and the birds found it quickly. Christina says wrens, bluebirds, house finches, and mockingbirds showed up within hours of the feeders going up.
Shoppers will also find seasonal products designed for what birds need right now, including Feather Pro, formulated to support birds during molting and new feather growth. Cardinals, in particular, can look a little alarming while molting, but Christina says not to worry—they are simply growing fresh feathers. The store also carries popular specialty blends such as Cardinal Confetti, mealworm blends, seed cylinders, bells, squirrel feeders, and plenty of giftable nature-themed items.
Wild Birds Unlimited • Monday—Saturday, 10am-6pm • Sunday 11am-3pm
Come see the new Highway 29 location, explore the expanded shop, and get ready for the return of backyard
activity as cooler weather settles in.