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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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 Encaenia 12th September 2026

Join us at the Natural History Museum for a day of activities, tours, talks and the Award Ceremony.

Bookings for this event have closed.

What to look for in September from the BNA

By D. Farrar

Wild flowers and insects can still be seen this month especially as the weather has been so mild. There are lots of habitats to explore so have a look and see what you can find.

Large-flowered Hemp-nettle – Galeopsis speciosa. Although this lovely plant begins to flower in July, it can still be seen in bloom during September. One of the dead-nettles, flowers are pale yellow with a purple lower lip. It is known to grow on arable land but can sometimes be found on roadside verges.

Green Tortoise Beetle – Cassida viridis. These unusual looking beetles are not easy to spot when they have been disturbed. They are totally green and are able to hide their antennae and feet underneath their bodies and sit flat onto leaves. They can sometimes be found in wet areas as one of their foodplants is water mint.

Black Darter Dragonfly – Sympetrum danae. The adult males are black with yellow spots on the sides (females are brown with black markings on the thorax). They can be seen on the wing up until October around boggy areas, heathlands and moors and often enjoy resting in the autumn sunshine.

White Ramping Fumitory – Fumaria capreolata. You might be lucky enough to spot this fumitory still in flower in September growing along hedges or scrubland. The flowers are white with a reddish-purple tip and trail amongst other foliage.