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Welcome to Reinders Old Elm®
online!
We offer a full line of wild bird feeders and accessories. If you
need help deciding on what kind of feeder you need to attract the
birds you want, please
send us an email or give us a call and we will be glad to assist you.
Free shipping with any order over $75.00.
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Spring is Coming!
It is time to put up houses and nest boxes in preparation for the spring nesting season. If you wait too long, it may be too late for early nesters.
Spring produces the widest variety of birds at your feeders. They will require extra energy to make the long trip, so keep your feeders full especially for early mornings and at dusk.
Consider planting perennials or bushes to feed and shelter wild birds or butterflies. A good nursery or garden center will be able to help you choose just the right plant for your backyard.
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The Yankee Flipper
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This month's Droll Boutique Item is The Yankee Flipper.
This is one of our best selling Squirrel Proof bird feeders and possibly the most entertaining as well. It has a motor driven, battery powered, weight activated perch ring. Weight calibrated to allow birds to eat, flips squirrels off. It is 21" tall and holds 5 lbs of sunflower or your favorite mix.
Click Here to learn more about the Yankee Flipper
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Hummingbirds
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is the only hummingbird found east of the Mississippi. You can expect them to return to the upper Midwest from late April to the first week of May. I have noted in the past that I normally start seeing them in my area of Southeastern Wisconsin around Mother's Day. To be sure you will attract hummingbirds, it is important to put out the feeder early enough and to keep it clean. Hummingbirds establish regular feeder routes early in the season, so make sure they add yours to their route.
We have several different nectar mixes available, but home made nectar can be prepared by mixing 4 parts water to 1 part sugar. Prepare by boiling the solution and storing it in your refrigerator. Do not use honey in feeders, it spoils quickly and can cause harm or death to hummers.
It is important to keep the feeders cleaned and filled with fresh nectar every 5 to 7 days, or more frequently in hot weather. Keep your feeder up until all birds have migrated. Most birds leave this area in early September, but sometimes stragglers pass through for several more weeks. They will appreciate the extra energy they get from your feeder.
Click here to view our selection of hummingbird feeders.
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Orioles
As with Ruby-throated hummingbirds, expect orioles to return to their breeding grounds from late April to the first week in May in the upper Midwest. Normally by Mothers Day here in Southeast Wisconsin.
Orioles are attracted to oranges and nectar feeders when they first return from their wintering areas, but later switch to an insect diet. In addition ot fruit and nectar, orioles are also attracted to feeders with grape jelly. While some orioles will eat oranges throughout their breeding season, providing jelly will help prolong your enjoyment of these beautiful birds.
Click here to view our selection of oriole feeders.
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Finch Feeding
Look for Goldfinches to turn gold again. All winter they have been a drab olive color for protection. The Goldfinch molts twice a year once in the spring and again in the fall.
The Goldfinch is one of the latest nesting birds; frequently, not nesting until late June. Sometimes females will switch mates after their first brood, leaving the male to take care of the fledglings. The female will produce another brood with the second male.
Click here to view our selection of finch feeders.
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Spring Nesting
Now is the time to bring your bird houses out of storage. Check them and make any repairs well before the nesting season starts. If you keep your houses up during the winter, take them down, clean them out and inspect them for any damage. Put your houses up early enough so as not to miss early nesters.
More than 30 species of birds will nest in man-made bird houses.
Offer nesting materials for your birds, it is fun to see your offerings in a wild bird's nest. Nesting materials you can offer include hair, wool, lint, cotton, yarn, string, dried grass, small twigs, shredded paper, tissues and cellophane. We also sell a refillable bird nester that makes it easy to offer nesting materials to wild birds.
Click to view our wild bird houses.
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