The Bristol Naturalists Society has been studying and observing the smaller animals for a very long time. Indeed its first section was one devoted to the study of insects.

Today this interest has been extended to cover other invertebrates such as slugs, snails, millipedes and woodlice, however insects still predominate. The butterfly fauna of the district has always been the most popular area of interest but moths and dragonflies and other groups are increasingly subject of attention

A small number of winter talks and summer field meetings are held each year. The talks are usually by local experts on one subject area of relevance e.g. how birds locate insect prey or, the dragonflies of the district. Field meetings usually visit local nature reserves and are led by specialists.