WELCOME TO THE BNA WEBSITE
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!
National Encaenia and Exhibits Handling Day April 22nd 2023
at Natural History Museum, London
This report can be viewed here>> Archive
BNA Weekend Workshops
at Brandon Marsh WildLife Trust nature reserve
(Near Coventry)
1st & 2nd July 2023
One of the habitats at Brandon Marsh, BNA members sweeping with nets
Take part in a range of activities led by experts. Learn how pollinators and flowers work together, find amazing structures such as plant galls, study specimens close-up using microscopes, identify moths caught on-site in a moth trap, and more.
Brandon Marsh is managed by Warwickshire Wild Life Trust and is a SSSI with meadows, small-leaf lime woodlands, wood pasture, scrub and other habitats.
Members – £15 per day, £20 per weekend
Non-members – £20 per day, £30 per weekend
Come for the whole weekend (or either Saturday/ Sunday) tickets are available now on this link, and includes a cold buffet lunch.
Last date to book tickets – 16th June
Click here for more information – BNA Weekend Workshop
What to look for in June from the BNA
June brings an abundance of insects into gardens, woodlands and hedgerows. Many are easy to spot as they bask in the sunshine on leaves or flowers. The longest day of the year is 21st June and is a perfect time to look for some of our spectacular, colourful insects.
All photos D. Farrar.
Rosemary Beetle – Chrysolina americana. Although not seen in the UK until the 1960’s, these colourful beetles are now widespread. Their metallic green and purple stripes gleam in the sun and can be found on Lavender, Thyme and Sage as well as Rosemary.
Scorpion Fly – Panorpa communis. This striking looking insect can be found in gardens, and hedgerows, most likely on brambles and nettles. They have long beaks which are used to feed on small dead insects often stolen from spiders’ webs. Only males have scorpion-like tails, but unlike scorpions, they do not sting.
Calocoris stysi. This distinctive looking plant bug does not have a common name. Found throughout Britain, it is around 6-8mm long with a chequered yellow and orange pattern. Usually seen on nettles and flower heads, they feed on small invertebrates like aphids.
Southern Hawker – Aeshna cyanea. This stunning dragonfly is very inquisitive and will fly close up to people. Males are black with green and blue markings; females are brown with green markings. They prefer well vegetated, small ponds including garden ponds but tend to wander along hedgerows or woodland edges searching for prey which they catch in mid-air.
Female (left) Male (right)
Programme of Zoom Talks 2023
Given by experts from the BNA and the Natural History Museum
The talks will take place on the third Monday every month starting at 7.30pm, the speaker, subject and times will be confirmed nearer each date.
To take part in any of these talks, or if you would like to give a talk,
please contact the Chairman – honchairman.bnanaturalists@gmail.com
