What are your goals for strawberry plants? Are you looking for fresh eating only, or for some to make jams and such too? June bearers produce a huge flush in June, great if you are going to do something that requires large amounts of strawberries at the same time, and a few berries here and there thereafter. Everbearing produce a small amount every few days.
There are many different growing styles to choose from. I prefer a net covered raised bed, but I have chickens who have nothing better to do with their day than wait for a red strawberry.
As for wild birds, I've never noticed a problem from them, but do have to deal with slugs.
There are ways you could get berries this year, but you will pay a hefty price, as you would be buying indiviual plants that have been potted up. If you have the time and patience, you could prepare the bed now, and either buy some runner babies off someone in the fall, or buy bareroot plants in the spring, which usually come 25 to a bunch for around $8.