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

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New BNA Branch in Staffordshire.

BNA Staffordshire

Email Steph and Andy to find out more >>

bnanaturalistsstaffordshire@outlook.com

National AGM Saturday May 30th 2026
Via Zoom Portal
Details will be sent to all members nearer the date

What to look for in February from the BNA

By D. Farrar

February can be one of our coldest months, it is sometimes frosty, foggy, wet and maybe snowy. If you can get out it is possible to see that spring is on the horizon, with plants appearing, buds showing on trees and birds singing to attract mates.

Common Frog – Rana temporaria.  As frogs are cold-blooded, they need to hibernate during winter months, under logs or rocks or amongst the mud and dead leaves at the bottom of ponds.  They have smooth green skin, unlike toads which are brown and warty. As temperatures begin to rise frogs start waking up.  If you have a pond in your garden have a look, you might find large clumps of eggs on the surface.

Herald Moth – Scoliopteryx libatrix. One of the easiest times to see a Herald Moth is between October and March when they are in hibernation. They spend this time on ceilings of dark places such as old buildings, cellars or caves, usually in small groups so looking for them with a torch would be helpful. These attractive moths are orange and brown in colour and resemble old shrivelled leaves.

Nuthatch – Sitta europaea. These distinctive grey and apricot coloured birds are fascinating to watch as they are able to move both up and down tree trunks. They probe the bark with their strong pointed bills searching for insects, but also feed on nuts, seeds or berries. They enjoy sunflower seeds and peanuts and are known to visit bird tables especially in winter.

Wren – Troglodytes troglodytes. Wrens are resident here all year round, they have a loud song but are often difficult to see. This small brown bird can be found in many different habitats including gardens farms and woodlands. Because of their small body size, they are susceptible to very cold weather and huddle together in groups when roosting to keep warm.

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 Pine Martens, Beavers and the 2025 Butterfly Count report