Because of the coronavirus pandemic it was again not possible to hold our usual Conversazione in the spring. However we have put together the Second Online NatHistFest with displays from some of our members and local organisations.

The official opening was on Thursday 25th November and exhibits are now open for viewing into 2022. Each exhibit has its own webpage – just click on the links below to go to each exhibit.

During the official opening there were five talks from exhibitors. Here are some of the useful links they supplied.

Matt Hayes talked about the Butterflies through Time project at the University Museum of Zoology. He provided the link to the University’s Collection Database which you can explore to find out more about the specimens held by the Museum of Zoology.

Leah Fitzpatrick who talked about enjoying wildlife in Oxford during a difficult year, recommended the Facebook group ‘NHM Biodiversity’ saying she had found it a great help, with generally good answers and normally the experts/admins chip in to help if need be. For places to visit near Oxford she recommended Lye Valley.

Exhibitors

Amphibian and Reptile Group (Terry Moore) We Need Your Help “Falling Through the Cracks”

Louise Bacon In flower in October

Cambridge & Peterborough Amphibian and Reptile Group (Steve Allain) A county atlas for amphibians and reptiles

Cambridgeshire Geological Society Local Geoconservation

Cambridgeshire Mammal Group Where are Cambridgeshire’s Mammals?

Cambridge Natural History Society (Jonathan Shanklin) Trumpington Meadows Field Study

Richard Dowsett Watercolours of plants in the Botanic Garden

Ely Wildspace (Mark Welch) Solitary Bees of Ely Common

Fen Edge Trail Exploring Local Landscape Heritage

Monica Frisch Orchids in Cambridge

Froglife (Chantel Carr) The Importance of Educating Young People on Herpetology

Sylvia Haslam and Tina Bone The River Friend

Bob Jarman The Nature of Cambridge

Gwenda Kyd Plant Pigments

John O’Boyle Allotment Biodiversity

Paul Rule Paul’s Garden Project

Small Life Supplies What happened when the Samia ricini saw eucalyptus…

South East Cambridgeshire Badger Group

University Museum of Zoology, Cambridge (Matt Hayes) Butterflies Through Time