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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 March from the BNA

Photos: D. Farrar

Although these birds can be seen throughout the year, hedgerows and trees are still mainly bare in March so this is a good time of year to do a spot of birdwatching and find some of our favourite colourful birds.

 

 

BullfinchPyrrhula pyrrhula. In the springtime you could see these beautiful birds feeding on the buds of fruit trees using their stubby black bill. Their bright pink breast and neck really stands out against the bare branches. Females are much paler in colour but both have the black head.

 

 

Blue Tit – Cyanistes caeruleus. These familiar birds are a delight to watch during this month as they begin making their nests. They can often be seen collecting moss, leaves and other soft materials such as fur or feathers. Nests are made in tree holes and garden nest boxes and could take up to two weeks to build.

 

 

 

Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus. These delightful small birds are resident in the UK and can be seen flitting around in groups in trees and hedges. At this time of year, they feed on seeds and berries and may visit garden feeders.  This month you might find them collecting lichen, feathers or spiders’ webs for their amazingly constructed nests.

 

 

 

YellowhammerEmberiza citrinella. With a yellow head and belly and brown, streaked back these birds easy to identify. They often join groups of finches and sparrows as they feed on seeds in farmlands. Yellowhammers can be heard repeating their high-pitched song (which is said to sound like “little bit of bread and no cheese”) as they perch on the top of bushes.

 

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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