An oriole bird feeder can encourage Baltimore orioles to nest nearby.
Pam Goodwill, Holmes-Wayne Electric Cooperative
Q. My husband and I are arguing about an orange bird. We think it’s a male oriole. He and his partner are flying around the outside of our house all day, front to back, porch to porch, and windows everywhere. What are they and are they looking to nest?
A. Hi, Pam: The birds are Baltimore orioles and they will be migrating through Ohio the next month or so. Some will stay to nest, while others are on their way farther north. Their nest is unusual in that they build a hanging nest the size and shape of a softball. If you’d like to try to keep the birds around, buy an orange-colored oriole bird feeder (they’re inexpensive), hang it on a metal shepherd’s crook in your yard and keep it filled with grape jelly.
Jeff Hesler, South Central Power Company
Q. Hi, Chip: After reading your story titled “Two Eyes and a Wiggle” in the March 2025 print version of Ohio Cooperative Living about state fish hatcheries, I wanted to inquire if the London Fish Hatchery will be selling muskellunge for stocking in a private three-acre lake in Ohio?
A. Jeff: I didn’t think the Ohio Division of Wildlife sells fish to the public, but to make sure I ran your question past Chris French, the division’s fish hatchery program administrator I interviewed for my story, and here’s what he had to say:
“You are correct, Chip. The State cannot sell produced fish to individuals or businesses. However, I’ve attached a fish producers list from around Ohio. The list is not all-inclusive. Some of the places do sell muskies; we just didn’t include that information on the PDF because our records only show two places that sell them. Those places are Jones Lake Management, and Marlow’s Fisheries and Pond Management. Fender’s Fish Hatchery may also have them, but I’d call ahead first, and I’d also ask them if they know of any other places that may have muskies for sale if they don’t.”
Doug Metz, South Central Power Company
Q. Hi, Chip: Read your article in the March 2025 issue of Ohio Cooperative Living titled “Farming for Wildlife,” and have a question. You said that Mr. Graham paid for pond and wetland construction on this farm through cost-sharing, what does that mean? We have a 70-acre parcel in Hocking County with lots of natural springs that I’ve always thought would be suitable for a small pond or wetland.
A. Hi, Doug: Every county in Ohio has a Natural Resources Conservation Service office, and I would suggest that you contact the one in Hocking County and make an appointment to talk to someone there about your questions. Take your copy of my story with you to show them what was done for Steve Graham and his farm in Union County. Every county has different programs available and different requirements depending upon where in the state the county is located. And if you would, please let me know how you make out. Following is the contact information for Hocking County:
Hocking Soil And Water Conservation District
Natural Resources Conservation Service
(740) 385-3016
Physical Address:
148 N Homer Ave
Logan, OH 43138-1730
Contact:
Dave Libben
dave.libben@usda.gov
