White crowned sparrows have been plentiful during migration this spring. We've had many reports here in MN and I had one in my yard the other day ... something I'd been hoping for the last 5+ years!

It's an injured nestling robin. Please see this and take it to an avian rehabilitator. Here is a link that might be useful: Please get help

The guy I took a photo of (#2) didn't move, no tail pumping...so I don't think it was an Eastern Phoebe and I looked up both in all my bird references and none showed either with a yellowish beak...only flycatchers seemed to have a yellow beak. It's hard to tell tho. I've been doing some more searching and wonder if it could be either an Alder Flycatcher or a Willow Flycatcher. Both are in my area in Illinois this time of year and both seem to have a yellowish beak ...the problem is, according my my sources there's no way to tell one from the other except by their song, so it could be either one of them. The only thing maybe would be that I saw this one right next to a river in a wooded area. I think it was the Willow Flycatcher that lives in that sort of habitat. I wish I knew...either would be new birds for my sister and me tho so I'm pleased if it is one of them. Thanks for all the comments and ideas! I really appreciate it!

Birds love bittersweet. I live in Iowa and it used to grow on many road side fences on the south side of the fence....but since the counties have taken to wholesale spraying the ditches it hs all but disappeared....along with the milk weed and the butterflies....and the roadside bonus of wild asparagus. You might consider leaving the bittersweet in the bird refuge.