Category Archives: Events

Events, News, Wildlife Trust

Great Fen Tour

Henry Stanier, who gave a talk about the Great Fen in February, tells us that the Wildlife Trust has arranged a rather special, in-depth all-day tour of the Great Fen on Saturday 14th June.

It showcases the work of the Great Fen Partnership (management & monitoring) and highlights the legacy of the conservation vision of Charles Rothschild. We investigate a range of habitats, and we get close to the wildlife (e.g. bird ringing, moth trapping, great crested newts, dragonflies, wildflowers, plus more birds and mammals)! It also raises funds for our work at the Trust.

You will visit land not open to the public and discover the past, present and future of wildlife conservation in the Fens. We will also view the next phase of the ‘Peatland Progress’ project, as we link the north and south of the Great Fen together and see the results of restoration taking place!

If you would enjoy going on this ‘safari’ at the Great Fen more details of times and costs are on the Trust website: https://www.wildlifebcn.org/events/2025-06-14-great-fen-ecotour

Events, News

Conversazione photos

The 106th Conversazione and Nat Hist Fest on Saturday 19th April went very well. There were around 30 exhibits, covering many aspects of natural history from amphibians to water resources, and including the Fen Edge Trail, moths, peregrines in Cambridge, stinging nettles and much more. The list of Exhibitors and Exhibits is available here as a pdf.

There were two entries for the Student Prize, from Kevin Siyuan Cheng on “Moth trapping around Cambridge” and from Maito Shiode on “Advancements in Stellar Calculations by Cambridge Professors”. Both were given prizes. We would like more exhibits from students – so, if you are a student, do think about exhibiting in 2026. Details of the Student Prize are here and we will announce the date for the 107th Conversazione as soon as it is fixed.

If you missed the event – as it was on the Saturday of Easter weekend we were aware that many people might be away – we have photographs of the various displays on our Facebook page: Just click here to see them:  https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1117166120455639&type=3

Or go via our FB Page:  https://www.facebook.com/CNHS1857 then click:  Photos / Albums / Conversazione 2025 Photo Album.

Events, News

List of Conversazione exhibits

The 106th Conversazione and Nat Hist Fest is on Saturday 19th April and the list of Exhibitors and Exhibits in now available here as a pdf.

For over 100 years Cambridge Natural History Society has held an annual exhibition, with displays on many aspects of natural history from its members, local naturalists and local organisations. It is traditionally called ‘The Conversazione’ because it is a social event where those attending can not only look at displays but also talk to the exhibitors.

This year it will be for ONE DAY only on Saturday 19th April and in a new venue: the David Attenborough Building, adjacent to the Museum of Zoology – many thanks to CCI Services Ltd for enabling us to use the David Attenborough Building.

Admission free – all welcome

Events, News

Conversazione & NatHistFest 19th April

The 106th annual Conversazione & NatHistFest is on
Saturday 19th April for ONE DAY ONLY and in a new venue:
the David Attenborough Building, but just as central.

Exhibits will include news of Peregrines in Cambridge; Diversity in Moths; Stinging Nettles (Urtica dioica): Naughty but Nice; College Biodiversity; Local Geology and Landscape; and much more.

see you there!

Events, News

Exhibit at the Conversazione

The 106th Annual Conversazione and NatHistFest will be held

FOR ONE DAY ONLY ON Easter Saturday 19th April 2025

in the David Attenborough Building, Pembroke Street, Cambridge CB2 3QZ

Cambridge Natural History Society’s Annual Exhibition provides opportunities

  • to meet local, national and international naturalists;
  • to meet like-minded enthusiasts and share ideas;
  • for the Society’s members to show what they have been doing;
  • for researchers to present their work;
  • for local organisations to publicise their activities; and
  • for everyone to learn about natural history and find out what is going on.

PLEASE CONSIDER EXHIBITING

Exhibits can be on any aspect of natural history and there is no charge for exhibiting. Download more details here

New exhibitors are welcome and there is a prize for the best exhibit(s) from exhibitor who was a school pupil, college or university student at the time of the Conversazione. Details here.

Events, News

CONVERSAZIONE and NATHISTFEST

The 106th CONVERSAZIONE and NATHISTFEST will take place on Easter Saturday 19th April 2025, for one day only.

It will be held in the David Attenborough Building, for the first time, and will be open to the public from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. Admission is free.

Duncan Mackay with his display about moth trapping

This is our annual exhibition on the wonders of the natural world and displays may be on any aspect of natural history, including the interests of individual local naturalists and the work of local organisations. It is traditionally called ‘The Conversazione’ because it is a social event where those attending can not only look at displays relating to natural history but also talk to the exhibitors. There will be a drinks reception for members at 5 p.m. when the event closes to the public.

More information can be found on our website at https://www.cnhs.org.uk/conversazione/ including information for potential exhibitors. Please consider exhibiting.

You can see the Photos from last year’s Conversazione (and earlier ones) on our Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/CNHS1857 – Click Photos, Click Albums, Scroll down to and click on e.g. “Conversazione 2024 Photo Album” to see a record of a joyous and fascinating event. 

Events, News, Talks

CNHS spring talks start on 23rd January

The first talk in the CNHS spring programme is on 23rd January 2025, when Ed Turner will talk on “Insect conservation: conserving the little things that run the world”.

Ed is Curator of Insects in the Museum of Zoology in Cambridge and Professor of Insect Ecology. He will present the growing evidence that insect numbers are declining in many areas, with serious implications for global biodiversity and ecosystem processes. Drawing on work from the Insect Ecology Group in Cambridge, this talk will discuss some of the evidence behind these declines, why this might be, and what we can do about it.

The talk will be held in the David Attenborough Building, Pembroke Street, Cambridge CB2 3QZ. It will start punctually at 6:45 p.m. with tea/coffee available beforehand. ALL WELCOME, ADMISSION FREE.

The talk will also be available via Zoom. Details will be sent to those on the CNHS mailing list – email CNHS_mailings-join@cnhs.org.uk to be added to the list.

Future talks

These will all be held at 6:45 p.m. in the David Attenborough Building, except for 20th March which will start at 6:30 p.m. with the CNHS AGM.

30th January The marine world Frances Dipper

6th February Alice Hibbert-Ware: Nature Study and the Little Owl Food Enquiry (1936-7) Max Long

13th February Squirrels of the British Isles: Red, Grey, and Black! Helen McRobie

20th February Great Fen: Progress on the peat Henry Stanier

27th February CNHS field studies 2024 Duncan Mackay and Jonathan Shanklin

6th March History of forests Charles Turner

13th March The Cambridgeshire Bird Club – 1925 to 2025: A century of bird watching Bob Jarman

20th March Natural materials for musical instruments Jim Woodhouse. This talk will be preceded by the CNHS AGM at 6:30 p.m.

Events, News, Talks

Finding W H Hudson: the writer who came to Britain to save birds

The next CNHS talk, on Thursday 17th October, will be given by Conor Jameson. It will take place at 6:45 p.m. in the the seminar room of the James Dyson Building, in the Department of Engineering.

To find this room, go in via the main entrance to the department from Trumpington St (opposite Hot Numbers coffee shop, entrance marked by a metal sculpture). After a short distance, turn into the space on your left and go straight ahead. You will pass the main Baker Building of the department on your right and the Architecture Department on your left. The James Dyson Building is ahead of you, with some bicycle racks in front of it. The entrance is via a revolving door, but if this turns out to be locked then someone will let you in via a door just to the right of it. The seminar room is directly on your left. Because the talks are out of normal hours, there is some car parking available on the site. Please contact the President for details..

Conor Jameson will talk on “Finding W H Hudson — the writer who came to Britain to save birds”. Conor describes his mission to restore William Henry Hudson (1841–1922), from previously unseen letters held in America. Conor traces the unassuming field naturalist’s path through a dramatic and turbulent era: from Hudson’s journey to Britain from Argentina in 1874 to the unveiling by the prime minister of a monument and bird sanctuary in his honour 50 years later, in the heart of Hyde Park. It is a place where the young immigrant had, for a time, slept rough. The story reveals Hudson’s deep influence on the creation of his beloved Bird Society (RSPB) by its founding women, and the rise of the conservation movement. Cambridge Professor Alfred Newton has a key supporting role. This story reveals the strange magnetism of this mysterious man from the Pampas – unschooled, battle-scarred and once penniless – that made his achievements possible, and left such a profound impression on those who knew him.

All welcome – admission free – please arrive punctually

Events, News, Talks

CNHS autumn talks

The CNHS autumn programme has now been arranged with eight talks, two field studies, a fungal foray and a seasonal social.

The first talk is on Thursday 10th October when Brian Eversham will give a talk entitled: Overlooked wildlife, or, Why are there
so many species? Brian is a very knowledgeable and entertaining speaker and this will be a fascinating and revealing talk. It will take place in the David Attenborough Building at 6:45 p.m. Please arrive promptly. Tea and coffee available before hand. Admission is free.

The talks on 17th and 31st October and on 7th, 21st and 28th November will be in a new venue: the James Dyson Building. This is in the Department of Engineering. To find this room, go in via the main entrance to the department from Trumpington St (opposite Hot Numbers coffee shop, entrance marked by a metal sculpture). After a short distance, turn into the space on your left and go straight ahead. You will pass the main Baker Building of the department on your right and the Architecture Department on your left. The James Dyson Building is ahead of you, with some bicycle racks in front of it. The entrance is via a revolving door, but if this turns out to be locked then someone will let you in via a door just to the right of it. The seminar room is directly on your left, on the ground floor.

Please join the CNHS mailing list by emailing mailings@cnhs.org.uk This will mean you will be sent an email shortly before each event, reminding you about the event and the location.

Events, News, Talks

Wicken Fen: 125 Years of Conservation

On Thursday 9th May Ajay Tegala who is a ranger for the National Trust on their oldest nature reserve. He will talk about the wildlife and management of Wicken, including wetland restoration and conservation grazing – the subject of his new book, Wetland Diaries. Copies will be available.

The meeting will be preceded at 6:45 p.m. by the Cambridge Natural History Society’s Annual General Meeting. For more details of the CNHS Rules and Council see https://www.cnhs.org.uk/about/

Both the talk and the AGM will take place in person in the David Attenborough Building, Pembroke Street, Cambridge CB2 3QZ as well as being online via Zoom. Members will be sent the Zoom link before the meeting.

ALL WELCOME – admission free. Tea and coffee available beforehand from 6 p.m.