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  • The National Body for Naturalists

    Founded in 1905 with the sole aim of promoting the study of all branches of Natural History and continues to do so to this day
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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.

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Chairman’s Challenge

Honorary Chairman Steven Rutherford will be fulfilling a sponsored walk in May, to honour the Northern Naturalist Thomas Bewick who walked from his office in Newcastle on Tyne to his home at Cherryburn, Mickley for Sunday lunch with his family. Cherryburn is approximately 15 miles from the office in Newcastle, Steve will be following that route along the river Tyne and back again in one day. You can support his challenge by donating via the link below.
Thomas Bewick was a natural history author, wood engraver and naturalist in 19th century. His books include The Fables of Aesop, Quadrupeds and the two volume: A History of Birds.

Click this link>> donate here

A PowerPoint talk given by Steve about the Life of Thomas Bewick can be viewed here>>BNA Zoom Talks

                                                                                             
All images copyright Bewick Society

What to look for in April from the BNA

Photos: D. Farrar

April is a busy month, leaves and blossom are appearing on trees and hedges and hibernating creatures will be waking up. Migrating birds are returning here to breed and spring flowers will be bursting into flower.

 

 

Hawthorn – Crataegus monogyna. If you take a walk along a hedgerow, you are likely to see hawthorn, it is one of the first species to produce its new, fresh leaves in spring with its flowers blossoming nearer the end of April. It has dense foliage which provides a perfect habitat for birds and insects so have a good look and see what you can find.

 

 

 

Common Green Shieldbug – Palomena prasina.  These bugs are commonly seen in hedgerows but can be found in grassland, woodland edges and gardens. They can be seen throughout the year but in the spring they are vibrant green and not so easy to spot on leaves.

 

 

 

 

House Martin Delichon urbicum. These glossy, black and white birds arrive here from Africa during April to breed. Their nests are made up of small lumps of clay which take around three weeks to construct, often under the eaves of houses, or ledges on buildings. They are amazing flyers and fascinating to watch as they catch their prey of flying insects in mid-air.

 

 

 

Peacock Butterfly – Aglais io –One of the early butterflies to emerge in the spring. They can be identified by the colourful iridescent eyespots on the uppersides of the wings, which are a warning to deter predators. By comparison, the undersides of the wings are almost black, making it difficult to see when they are resting on tree trunks or in hibernation.

Keep up to date with current natural history news
and the latest newsletter from the Seahorse Trust

Visit our Wild News page here>>Wild News

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