Looks like a variegated weigela to me. Here is a link that might be useful: weigela images

Holy Crap...Claire, that picture of the Red-winged Blackbirds is wonderful! That red really jumps out at you. I've never seen them in a flock like that. How lucky you are to have such a view from your window. And wild Turkey...are they not the strangest big birds you have ever seen walking? We had them by the hundreds in CT. They would troop through our woods/yard and kick up all sorts of ground litter. You could mark their path as they moved on. Like a flock of big ol' chickens. And yes, I know full well about the bird poop v gray car issue. But, better gray then black or navy... I have heard back from PFW. The final word is...Pine Warbler. Anne Marie said that their song is much like the Chipping Sparrow, as is the song of the Junco. I did not know that. I do not have many Junco, a hand full at most. I don't think I have ever heard them in song but, now I know what to listen for. Something else that I have learned from PFW. terrene...I can not say that I have ever seen a Chipping Sparrow up close. I see them during the nesting season, only with my field glasses, up in the tops of the pine trees, singing their little hearts out...marking their territory I think. Such a loud song from such a small bird. As I recall, they have a chestnut crown with a light eyebrow and a black/dark eyeline? Their underparts are a light gray...that I know. A very sweet little bird. I'm getting better with my Sparrow ID...just in time to start work on the Warblers... I will now be watching for the Chipping Sparrow with my new, more educated eye. We use to see the Purple Finch a lot in our yard but that is going waaaay back...15 years at least. I saw one this season and almost jumped for joy. We get a lot of House Finch which are nice, but the Purple Finch is always a special find... The Red-belly Woodpeckers in our yard still love the grocery store suet. I have seen the female at the tube feeder that holds the sunflower hearts. A sight to see. I have been seeing the Bluebirds almost every day. I think they may be here to stay. I am going out in just a little bit to get another Bluebird box. I have one in the front yard but I think they may like one in the back yard, a bit farther away from the house. I'm still thinking about those mealworms... sooey who is seeing lots and lots of busy little birds out there...

David, I understand anyone's dilemma of choosing their method for controlling hosp. My decision for how I would deal with hosp was actually made easier by the hosp themselves. I will never forget the image of 6 BB babies, dead, on the ground under their nestbox in my front yard (the event that plunged me into this wonderful world of bluebirding). Add to that the many horror stories and graphic pics that I have since heard/seen while visiting sites such as this, and the observations of their increase in population and moving into what previously was "hosp-free territory". I don't think that my method of disposal will ever be non-traumatic or easy for me. It is extremely difficult...every single time. But, when I find that I am questioning myself as to "is this the right thing to do", I just remember the image of my 6 BB babies. I believe that, unfortunately, controlling hosp is an ugly side to what I feel is my responsibility to these birds. (I, too, liked the idea of donating for a good cause. Could not find any takers in my area.) Good luck in your search for options and in making your decision.

They bother people because they are an invasive pest and will kill native cavity nesters. Liking them would be similar to liking kudzu or zebra mussels or asian carp! They are destructive to this continent's natural ecologies. I would never let them nest in my yard, in fact I think people should abstain from feeding the birds or putting out bird houses if they are overrun with this species. It's not cute, it's irresponsible to enable an invasive species.