Herons are commonly spotted along the water of the Little Sugar Creek Greenway. | Photo by CLTtoday
Just miles from the bustle of Uptown, it’s still possible to see a heron hunting for fish or catch a glimpse of a mating pair of bald eagles. With a booming population and ongoing development, some bird species are fairing better than others in Mecklenburg County.
Wing Haven recently welcomed Charlotte-based naturalist Taylor Piephoff — the former president of The Carolina Bird Club — for a seminar on the status of our birds.
Wild turkey is one of several bird species rare to spot in Mecklenburg County.
Photo by CLTtoday
“If you don’t have the habitat, then you’re not going to have the birds,” Piephoff emphasized, citing habitat loss to be the primary driver of declining bird populations. Species like American barn owl, wild turkey, loggerhead shrike, and northern bobwhite have all become rare or absent in Mecklenburg County.
Meanwhile, many raptors are showing positive trends, with bald eagles breeding in the county and red-shouldered hawks becoming common residents. Cooper’s hawks have also increased and adapted to urban environments.
Forest Bathing | 12-3 p.m. | Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden | $65+ | Unplug and reconnect to the natural world in this Japanese practice of relieving stress.
Fine Wine Tasting| 7-8:30 p.m. | 9989 Charlotte Hwy, Fort Mill | $30 | Sip wine samples in this guided tasting from an industry expert and winemaker.
Dancing with the Stars of Charlotte | 7:30 p.m. | Bechtler Museum of Modern Art | $125 | Experience the glitz and excitement seeing local celebrities paired with dancing pros compete for the mirror ball trophy.
Saturday, March 21
No Man’s Land Festival | 11 a.m.-5 p.m. | Camden Road | Cost of purchase | Spend Saturday browsing and shopping from a vast collection of woman-owned businesses.
March Paint and Brunch| 12-2 p.m. | Ruby Sunshine | $33+ |Join a local artist in painting flowers while savoring brunch.
6th Annual Mother Shuckin’ Oyster Roast | 3-6 p.m. | NoDa Brewing Company | $39+ | Taste the coastal life with this oyster supper + proceeds benefiting local food-insecure neighborhoods.
Charlotte FC vs. San Jose Earthquakes | 7:30 p.m. | Bank of America Stadium | $46+ | Get ready for BofA to shake when The Crown plays in this primetime match.
Three words for you: treat yo’ self. | Photos: Leo Diaz
Still looking for those perfectly sunny summer vacay plans? The freshly renovated Seagate at Delray Beach is waiting to welcome you for a week of memories (or seven days of nonstop me-time).
The Seagate lets you escape to tropical white sand beaches, crystal-blue ocean-front views, and high-end amenities — all without a passport.
While Delray has plenty to explore, it’s easy to fill your itinerary with unique experiences without ever leaving Seagate grounds.
The Town of Cornelius is hosting a community meeting to share updates and gather public input on a Downtown Master Plan, focusing on preserving the town’s history and support future growth. It’s happening in the community room of Town Hall from 5 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 26.
Development
A multifamily project is in the works near University City with plans to bring 324 apartments and 73 townhomes across 23.4 acres at 8001 Neal Rd. A construction timeline remains TBD. (Charlotte Business Journal)
Open
A new exhibit chronicling Darlington Raceway for its 75th anniversary is now open at the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Check out NASCAR Hall of Famers Richard Petty and Mark Martin as they cut the ribbon at the exhibit’s grand opening earlier this week.(WCNC)
Closed
Flav’s Coffee & Italian Market in Indian Trail is permanently closed. The shop thanked customers for four years of business. Flav’s downtown Waxhaw location remains open — pay them a visit to grab a bite or cup of Joe.
Theater
CLTtoday got a glimpse inside the restored Carolina Theatre in Uptown. After being closed since 1978, doors officially open to the public on Monday, March 24 at 3 p.m. with a public ribbon-cutting celebration + free open house.
Eat
Need lunch plans?Goldie’s in South End will open for weekday lunch starting next Wednesday, March 26. The menu will feature new items, like Golden Tenders, Bad & Boujee BLT, and the Game Changer breakfast sandwich.
Announced
Luisa’s Brick Oven Pizzeria is transitioning to new ownership. The 34-year-old pizza restaurant in Montford will continue operating as normal, serving guests brick oven pizzas, salads, pasta, and Italian desserts. (The Charlotte Observer)
Feel Good
Ridge Road Middle School faculty savored a free Whataburger meal. The promotional event comes as the Texas burger chain is expanding in North Carolina, with upcoming locations in Charlotte opening in June and Gastonia opening this May. (WCNC)
Sports
Hear reactions after the Heels annihilated San Diego State in the NCAA Tournament. Go beyond the court for the biggest stories on the UNC Tar Heelswith Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Fact or Fiction
Fact: Some credit cards can actually help you get out of debt faster. (It sounds wild, but it’s true.) The secret: Find a credit card with a “0% intro APR” period for balance transfers. This one even offers 5% cash back on your purchases.*
Stat
Every six seconds. That’s how often a pet owner spends $1,000+ in unforeseen care costs for their fur baby. Pet insurance could cover up to 90% of these costs — find the right plan.*
Category
Jobs
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To get started, create an account and post your first listing for free — it takes less than five minutes. Bonus: Level up your listing with a Featured Job Post and your job will be featured right here in the CLTtoday newsletter.
My favorite wild bird encounter while living in Charlotte was spotting a bald eagle landing on a rock over the water along the Little Sugar Creek Greenway. I initially couldn’t believe what I saw, considering how close to Center City I was. I’ve been keeping an eye out for another sighting ever since.
