One Good Tern

The owner is a knowledgable birder and leads birding forays around the region, so he knows what he’s talking about and really knows binoculars and related gear. But he’s not a know-​it-​all type and is really friendly and patient with a newbie (which is what I was). He patiently let me try out one model after another until I finally settled on the model for me. I still have these binoculars years later and was very happy with my purchase. I bought another pair of binoculars from him years later and received the same excellent service.
I had minor manufacturers’ issues with each pair, and I took them back and he took care of it on the spot, so his service-​after-​the-​sale is good.

This is a great shop.
I wanted to upgrade my binoculars but didn’t want to invest in a pair without trying them out. One Good Tern has ALL the binoculars. The owner respected my price range, answered all my questions, and was patient as I tried out a handful of different binocs. No pressure! (I chose a pair of Celestrons and love them.)
Since then, I’ve been back to buy birdseed a couple times. They have tons of blends for whatever birds you are looking to attract. I’ve been using one that squirrels dislike (it works!), which makes it worth the higher price.
They also have a nice selection of cards, books, jewelry, and all kinds of things with birds on them.

Very helpful staff helped me get started with a new birdfeeder set up that clamps onto my railing, picking out the right feeder, the right seed, and then a week later trouble shooting a pesky raccoon problem! Prices weren’t cheap, but everything I’ve gotten has been high quality. Each time I come in for birdseed refills I have new bird descriptions they help me identify without just telling me to buy a bird book and leave them alone (which they could easily do since the bird books are right there in the store). The main thing I love is that they are almost as enthusiastic about the birds at my feeder as I am so I have someone to gush to about how funny this one woodpecker is or some other trivial bird story my friends don’t care about.

I really loathe puns, but that doesn’t keep me from enjoying One Good Tern [cringe].
I’ve been an armchair ornithologist ever since a friend in high school told me the Latin name for the American Robin was «turdus migratorius.» Juvenile humor alert: but, ha ha HA! And then husband and I visited Central America where they have honeycreepers and parrots everywhere instead of dirty crows and pigeons, and we were hooked on amateur bird identification… which we pretty much suck at but enjoy anyway.
But — the staff at One Good Tern geeks out over birds and is super helpful when it comes to selecting identification books and the right kind of feed to attract the right kind of birds. (You don’t want those wrong-​side-​of-​the-​tracks birds on your porch, after all.)
They sell all manner of feeders and all manner of feed here. Living in a condo we prefer the feeders that suction-​cup to your window and hold cakes of bird seed to entice birds to feed right at your window where you can watch them up close and personal. The cat prefers this type of feeder, too. Endless feline entertainment. But there are many other types to choose from if you prefer the hanging kind, or any other kind for that matter.
And they don’t just limit themselves to feeders and feed here. Oh, no. They sell birdie earrings, and birdie mugs, birdie mouse pads, and birdie tees. As well as all kinds of all-​natural products from lip balm to lotion to shade-​grown coffee. A little bit of everything with a focus on birds.

I’m not a binocular-​bound birdwatcher, but I do love the cardinals that come to perch in the holly tree in my front yard and this place sells good cardinal food that doesn’t attract to many poo-​pooing pigeons. They’ve got some cool stuff in there. The bird food is a little more expensive than chain places, but the quality is higher.
If you stop in there, go next door to Fern Street Gourmet Wine and Cheese. That place rocks, the prices are good and the people are very kind and helpful.