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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What to look for in October from the BNA

Photos: D. Farrar

Even though nights are drawing in and the temperature begins to get cooler there is still plenty to see in the natural world. Leaves are turning from green to colourful shades of red, yellow and orange and berries shine in the autumn sunshine. Fungi appear in woodlands and gardens and there are still some wild flowers to be found, it’s a great time of year to venture outdoors.

Blackening Waxcap – Hygrocybe conica. This fungi is one of Britain’s most common waxcaps, often appearing in garden lawns especially in damp, shaded areas and often seen in groups. They can be orange or yellow and turn black with age or damage.

Grey Dagger Moth Caterpillar – Acronicta psi. Grey Dagger moths are grey in colour with dagger-like markings but the caterpillar is very colourful. It has a creamy coloured stripe along the body with black, red & white markings and a black ‘hump’ behind the head. They may be seen at this time of year in woodlands, hedges and gardens as they feed on a variety of trees & shrubs including hawthorn and blackthorn.

Wild Chicory – Cichorium intybus. This lovely, bright blue flower can still be found in October in rough grassy areas, roadside or railway verges and wasteland. Flowers have toothed tips and appear on erect stems.

Horse Chestnut – Aesculus hippocastanum. A sure sign that autumn is here, the fruit of these trees (called ‘conkers’) ripen and begin to fall to the ground. Although they cannot be eaten by humans, they provide us with a lot of fun when attached to a piece of string! When you are out collecting these for your game of conkers, remember to leave a few for the deer and squirrels to feed on.