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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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.

What to look for in November from the BNA

By D. Farrar

There are over 15,000 species of fungi growing wild in the UK but you are not likely to see all of them! The mushrooms that we see are the fruiting bodies which sometimes only last a few days while they release spores. There are many different colours and sizes, some are so small you could easily walk past them without noticing. These are some of the more common species you will probably come across in woodlands, grasslands or even our own gardens. Don’t forget when looking for fungi, do not eat any as they may be poisonous!

Shaggy Inkcap – Coprinus comatus.  Found in grassy areas, in parks and gardens and can be seen on roadside verges. They are named because of their shaggy appearance, are around 6cm tall, cylindrical when new but start to turn black with age. They can be seen as individuals or growing in groups.

Jelly Ear – Auricularlia auricula-judae. Also named from their appearance, these are soft, shaped like ears and jelly-like. They are found in wooded areas, most often on Elder trees and their dead branches.

Candlesnuff – Xylaria hypoxylon. Candlesnuff can be found on many species of dead wood. They grow to about 3cm in height, have black stems and ‘antler-like’ white tips which also turn black as they mature.

Fly Agaric – Amanita muscaria. These are perhaps the most well-known mushrooms in Britain with their bright red colour and distinctive white spots. The stem is also white with a skirt like ring around it. Often found around birch, pine and spruce trees growing up to 20cm high.