When cutting back the sapling trees in the old field habitat (we don't want trees to take over one of the few remaining open areas at the FWG) I discovered a song sparrow nest in a fork formed by the sucker growth from previous year's cutting, about 1 foot above the ground. Song sparrows nest on the ground (we've found their nests ensconced in DSV vines), or not too far above it in shrubs or other sturdy vegetation.

This year we were lucky to be invited to host a group of Carleton University students, who we were told were willing to do the hardest more grueling jobs. Hmmm, an opportunity to tackle dog-strangling vine (DSV)!

The students proved to be more than willing and very able. This photo was taken AFTER 3 hours work.

Prabha tweeted images of the crew and all the creatures we came across, and we also enjoyed music from an iPhone while we worked, turning a hard job into a very enjoyable day.

Another "before" photo shows how DSV can twine around the branches of trees and grow up and over shrubs and other low vegetation. Here it's covering the lower branches of a cork elm tree and some adjacent shrubs. The higher the vine grows the farther its seeds can travel as they are wind borne. Needless to say, we don't want this very invasive species spreading any more than it already has.

On the other side of the central path through the woods, trembling aspens are mixed with butternut and ash saplings. Two of our mysterious "crop circles" (small areas where DSV does not grow) occur here as well. The students were able to clear DSV from the whole area and start a ground story by planting some Large-leafed Asters.

Bees were hanging out under vegetation on the cool, windy morning a few days ago. When it is rainy, or there is other inclement weather, insects sensibly seek shelter as best they may.

These spiky caterpillars are very common right now and can be seen all over the region on a wide variety of vegetation. They can be this lovely yellow, and they can also be found in shades of gray and a pale tan colour. The black band along the back (the dorsal band) is sometimes very pronounced as here, and sometimes nearly absent.

These bees are being trapped in the kiosk in the butterfly meadow. Once it was noticed, volunteers took steps to fix the lid so it would not close entirely, allowing the bees to leave. They seemingly were able to get in before, but unable to leave. Not sure why they are so keen to get into this kiosk which is made of recycled plastic, not wood. Here, there are several bees which don't look too healthy, even though they had plenty of freedom to leave the structure.

Last week I posted a photo of this cocoon in which the wing colour of the butterfly could be faintly discerned, a sign that it was almost ready to emerge. Today I found the now empty cocoon still clinging on to the nettle stem. Amazingly strong, given the fierce winds we've had lately and the way the nettle stalk is being whipped around!

There were quite a few mallards in the pond including a number of males just beginning to get their colour back!

There are several rabbits hanging around the buildings, and more in the rest of the garden. They are getting too bold for their own good, as there are lots of dogs around. Hopefully they won't be caught.

From about late June, early July, onward, the nymphs of this species have been very noticeable throughout the region. The nymphs look very different from the adult and very different from one instar to the next. The adult, as you can see, blends in beautifully with the birch leaf. This stinkbug is one of the biggest in the area, measuring up to 19mm. A whopper in stinkbug terms!

One of two sitting in the Backyard Garden pond. On occasion there have been up to 9 in the pond, too many for the very small size of the pond.

Autumn is definitely mushroom season, especially after a period of rain.

Barry photographed this little jumping spider on rudbeckia. There isn't enough detail to determine ID, although even if there were, it could be hard to properly identify as, like so much in the insect world, there are many species that look very similar. It might possibly be in the genus Eris.

These relatively large paper wasps used to be called common paper wasps, but more recently northern paper wasps. These wasps make smallish nests with exposed cells, out of wood fibre which they can often be seen scraping from wooden posts, trees, etc. The young (larvae) are fed insect food, particularly caterpillars, but the adults primarily feed on nectar.

A common sight throughout the region, often in huge numbers.

A beautiful little treefrog photographed by Barry. These are quite common at the garden, particularly noticeable during breeding season in spring when the night is filled with their calls. They are also heard all summer calling from upland areas, perched on trees, grasses, and other vegetation.

Another photo from Bug Day this year, taken by Diane.

Photographed by Diane. This brilliantly green mantis is on the also brilliant obedient plant in the butterfly meadow. What a feast of colour!

When I went into the Backyard Garden yesterday, there was a wonderful cacophony of bird sounds. Three or four house wrens were really ramping it up when it came to 'scolding', the a downy woodpecker arrived to see what was what. In the ravine both a least flycatcher and an eastern wood pewee were calling pretty constantly for 10 minutes. Robins, cedar waxwings, catbirds, chickadees, goldfinches and cardinals were some of the other birds around the site.

One more photo of the busy hummingbirds at the jewelweed in the old woods. It is not often they are cooperative enough to sit still, at least not for me.

At one time, in the old woods, I saw four hummingbirds together, chasing one another and hovering and feeding over the jewelweed. This plant is a magnet for hummingbirds as well as bees and other insects.

A common orbweaver, this one is not native. One of its other common names gives a clue to its origins, Common European Garden Spider. This one was hanging out near the door into the interpretive centre.