Pets And Animals

Dear Joan! During a recent cold spell, I saw a small yellow finch sitting motionless on the path around the pond. I have a niger seed feeder on a birch tree across the pond and there were two finches living there.

I watched this little bird for a few minutes walking around and it didn't move. I entered the house either to freeze or to rest. A few minutes later I came back to see this little bird and it was still sitting there. Then he flew some distance into the bush and seemed to follow me from bush to bush as he returned home.

I was torn. Was it just the flu or was she sick? Apparently he asked me to take him home, which was impossible because I have a cat.

A few minutes later I went back to check and the bird had (supposedly) entered the pond and was dead.

My question is, was this bird sick or could it just be the flu? What would I do under ideal circumstances?

-Nancy McKiernan, Sunnyvale

Dear Nancy ! According to you, it was American measles, and while most measles cases migrate south to warmer climates, some measles cases are more or less permanent residents of the Bay Area.

Despite our cold, the birds we see around can warm up. Their feathers are excellent protectors and they can be pulled up to trap warm air under their feathers and on their skin. Of course we complain, but the birds remain.

We cannot say exactly what happened to the rose in your garden. From the description of his actions, I suspect he may be ill. It didn't help how quickly he disappeared upon entering. I'm afraid he's past the stage of redemption.

If you have another such encounter, you can try to catch it, put it in a shoebox or other container, and take it on a wild bird hunt.

Dear Joan : I want to redo my garden this summer. Facing east. I like to put plants that attract birds and butterflies. Any comments would be appreciated.

Carol Carter, Campbell

Dear Carol , there's a whole galaxy of plants to explore. The task will be to sort them and choose your favorite.

I recommend checking out the California natives because not only are they the best for your garden, but they are also attractive to the birds and butterflies that live here. After establishment, plants grow with a small amount of water.

The best way to narrow down your choices and fall in love with a few plants is to explore local nurseries to see what they have to offer. Find a large group of native Californians. Talk to the staff about the sun and water needs of the plants and ask them what their favorite plants are.

Books are a good place to start, especially those written for the Bay Area and Northern California, such as Growing Native Plants for Birds, Bees, and Butterflies: Northern California by George Oxford Miller (Adventure Publications).

A fun website to check out is the California Native Plant Society's Calscape, calscape.org . Enter your address and find plant discounts.

Contact Joan Morris at AskJoanMorris@gmail.com .