We hope you find it interesting and stimulating, and hope you will join the Association and swell the numbers of Britain’s Naturalists.

Join the BNA the national body for naturalists, founded in 1905, and extend your interest in the British countryside by taking part in a wide range of activities together with fellow enthusiasts of all ages. With the help of our experts, you will be able to learn more about our native flora and fauna and develop an in-depth understanding of how our natural world develops and changes increasingly important in view of the changes in our climate.

At national level, the BNA organises lectures and exhibitions, publishes Country-Side, British Naturalist, the BNA website and the BNA holds occasional conferences and Field Trips at a different location each year.

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Hoverfly Blog by South Yorkshire member Mark Dudley MBNA

visit on this link>>Easily Distracted by Hoverflies

All content and photos copyright M. Dudley (unless stated)

What to look for in October from the BNA

By D. Farrar

Autumn is a lovely time of year and October is still warm enough to go out walking. Leaves are changing colour and berries brighten up the hedgerows. Whether you are in a woodland, a park or a country lane, there is plenty to see.

Common Green Shieldbug – Palomena prasina. Adults of this species can be found all year round, feeding on a variety of shrubs in parks and gardens. During spring and summer months they are bright green in colour, but to camouflage themselves before hibernation they become dark brown so are more difficult to see amongst the autumn leaves.

Holly Berries – Ilex aquifolium. Holly is an evergreen tree so always looks good later in the year with their dark green shiny leaves. Bright red berries are produced in the autumn and are one of the favourite foods for robins, blackbirds and visiting winter thrushes.

Jackdaw – Corvus monedula. The smallest of our crow family, Jackdaws can be identified by their grey neck and stunning blue/grey eyes. They are ground feeding birds and will eat just about anything they can find, often seen foraging for insects, seeds or berries underneath fallen leaves at this time of year.

Sulphur Tuft – Hypholoma fasciculare. This inedible fungus grows in large clusters on dead tree stumps, commonly seen in woodlands. The caps are dome shaped when new but flatten as they age, yellow in colour with a darker brownish centre. They prefer cooler, damp conditions so this month is a good time to see them.

Check out our Wild News page here>> Wild News to see how wildlife, conservation and the environment are coping with the changing climate.

Latest news includes Seahorses, Bumble Bees and 2025 Butterfly Count

Seven celestial events to look out for in 2025

credit : Nicole Avagliano

Find out what you can view near you>>celestial events 2025