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Cambridge Natural History Society’s CONVERSAZIONE No.105 and NATHISTFEST
The Cambridge Natural History Society is delighted to announce that this year’s Conversazione will be in-person on 19th & 20th April 2024 in the Department of Zoology.
Friday 19th April 1pm - 6pm and Saturday 20th April 10am – 5pm.
For over a hundred years, Cambridge Natural History Society has held an annual exhibition in the Department of Zoology.
It is traditionally called ‘The Conversazione’ (nomenclature of Italian origin) because it is a social event where those attending can not only look at the displays but also have a conversation with the exhibitors.
While the 104th Conversazione, the first in person since the Covid-19 pandemic, did not attract as many exhibitors as the 100th in 2019, it was nevertheless a very successful event and it was SO GOOD to be back in person.
The Photos on the CNHS Facebook page capture most of the exhibitors and their exhibits. To see them go to: https://www.facebook.com/CNHS1857 
click Photos, click Albums, scroll down to and click on e.g. Conversazione 2023 Photo Album.
And the Programme or Exhibitor List from 2023 and a number of previous Conversaziones can be viewed or downloaded from our website here: http://www.cnhs.org.uk/previous-conversazione-programmes/
These photos and the list of exhibits provide a record of fascinating displays and joyous events.
The CNHS hope these will inspire you to create equally fascinating displays for this year's event.
Please put the date in your diary and start thinking about what you might be able to exhibit.
Our centre at Wat Tyler Country Park
website for birdwatching in Europe
The health crisis caused by the Coronavirus forces most of us to stay at home as much as possible. In these difficult times, for the good of the community, it is better to stay at home. But you can keep on birding. On the new website www.birdingplaces.eu you can discover hundreds of bird-watching areas all over Europe online. All in one place. With next to every birdingspot exactly the information you need for some fine hours of birding.
You can also place your own favourite bird areas on the map. Just click on "Add a birdingplace" and follow the instructions. It's easy and fun to do with time on your hands when you have to stay at home in these times of self-isolation.
www.Birdingplaces.eu is made by and for birders and non-commercial. It's an easy-to-use platform that connects bird watchers from all over Europe, allowing you to discover prime locations to observe birds in the UK and the rest of Europe. When you log in, you can also leave tips and comments, check out the Birdingplaces League or use the Find a Bird-tool. It's all free!
Please share this message with other birders, so we can fill the map with even more great birdingplaces.
PS: To celebrate the launch of Birdingplaces.eu you now have a chance on winning a topmodel Leica binoculars and telescope when you add birdingspots to the website. See www.birdingplaces.eu/go-in-and-win for more information.
| Geronimo the grasshopper published. The second book in the Insect Adventures series of children's stories tells the tale of Geronimo the grasshopper, as he learns to jump higher and goes on an exciting adventure when he leaves his heathland home. Will he return in time to win the Mould Medal in the Heathland Games? The book was published by the Essex Field Club in July 2017 and has a foreword by Jimmy Doherty. The illustrations are by Andrea Ellis of Unequi Science & Creativity. To buy the book (£5.99 + £1.50 UK p&p) visit https://timsinsectadventures.blogspot.co.uk/p/geronimo-grasshopper.html .
The books in the Insect Adventures series are designed to appeal to children between the ages 5-8 who are able to read alone or they can be read by parents at bedtime. The stories are split into eight easy to read chapters and introduce children to the lives of insects and how they adapt and survive in the wild. |  |
The Mammals of Essex by John Dobson and Darren Tansley is a hardback volume of 272 pages published in November 2014 by the Essex Field Club. It is available for £20 from John Dobson. Please contact him on 01245 224408 or . It is printed in colour throughout, there is a Foreword by Essex resident Germaine Greer and the book includes distribution maps of all resident species and reviews whales, seals, bats, rodents and carnivores as well as fossil species. The final chapter provides identification tips for similar species and a photo-guide for identifying mammal field signs.
The Herpetological Conservation Trust, Add an Adder
Please add your records. The older you are, the more work you will need to do since they are looking for historical records and even memories!!!