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.

JOIN NOW!

Support the BNA by donating via this link>>Donate here

or scan this QR code

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

National AGM Saturday May 30th 2026 at 2.15pm.

The meeting will be preceded at 1pm with a film by Kevin Hinchcliffe MBNA.

The subject is “Crestie Quest” The search for Crested Tits in the Highlands of Scotland.

Further details have been sent to all members and can be found at the bottom of the page on this link:-

https://bna-naturalists.org/about-us-2/

The meeting is via Zoom, and the joining details will be emailed nearer the date.

What to look for in June from the BNA

By D. Farrar

June is one of the best months to look for butterflies as summer has arrived and there’s a plentiful supply of nectar filled flowers for them to feed on. They are most active on warm, sunny days so it is always a pleasure to get outdoors and enjoy watching them.

Red Admiral – Vanessa atalanta.  One of the larger butterflies, this lovely black, white and red butterfly can be seen in a variety of habitats including coastal and countryside areas but is also a frequent visitor to gardens. They feed on nectar provided by flowers such as ivy blossom, valerian and buddleia (also known as the butterfly bush).

Marbled White – Melanargia galathea. These distinctive black and white butterflies are mostly found in flowery grassland. When resting, they can be seen with their wings folded together on flower heads or stems of grass. They seem to prefer feeding on purple coloured plants such as thistles, scabious or knapweed.

Green-veined White – Pieris napi. In flight, this common butterfly could easily be mistaken for the small white butterfly. If you get a closer look when it is on a plant, you will see the greenish veins on the hind wing. Commonly seen in gardens, they can also be found along hedgerows and damp areas, feeding on garlic mustard or cuckooflower.

Large Skipper– Ochlode sylvanus. Although these are named Large Skippers, they are quite small with a wingspan of around 33mm. On warm, sunny days they can be seen resting on plant stems or leaves. A distinctive dark orange butterfly with dark brown and paler orange markings.