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!

I thought I had responded to this earlier. I think I did, but was having trouble with where Houzz was posting it and/or erasing it. Yes! I decided it was a Dickcissel. I'm excited to have them here now.

Ecology: English Ivy prefers open forests but is adaptable to many habitats and moisture conditions. English Ivy serves as a reservoir for bacterial leaf scorch that infects maples, oaks, and elms. This invasive vine colonizes by vine growth and seeds that are spread by birds. Very few species of wildlife use English Ivy because it is mildly toxic. taken from the site linked below: https://projects.ncsu.edu/goingnative/howto/mapping/invexse/englishi.html

My only phone is my cell phone. And it is always with me. It is also my business phone......that is the number my clients call to reach me as well, at least initially. So a fair amount of my "unknown callers" are also important calls. For various reasons I do not take the calls when they ring - reasons I don't need to justify to anyone else, thank you very much! The difference is that yet-to-be-identified business callers leave a voicemail message I return at my convenience. Someone else may have a different method of approaching this and whatever that is, fine for them. This is not a big deal for me, does not impact my life in any adverse way and works. No further need for discussion!