BioBlitz comes to Trinity

BioBlitz, a citizen-science event that helps build up the map of animals, birds and insects in and around Cambridge, is being held in the Fellows’ Gardens at Trinity, 22-23 July.

It’s the first time that the 24-hour wildlife spree, organised by the Museum of Zoology, will be held at a Cambridge college.

Visitors can take part in a range of family-friendly workshops, from 5pm on Friday 22 July to 5pm on Saturday 23 July. From butterfly spotting, a spider survey and a bat walk, to learning how to use animal traps, identifying moths and understanding why bee populations are under pressure, there is something for everyone. You can even dissect owl pellets!

All activities are free and must be booked online. The Fellows’ Gardens, accessed from Queen’s Road, is a surprisingly spacious nine hectares, which includes a pond, stream, woodland and planted areas.

Trinity’s Head Gardener, Tom Hooijenga welcomed the event, saying it would help document the rich biodiversity harboured in the different habitats. He said:

I am looking forward to find out a bit more about the ‘night-time activities’ of the creatures that inhabit our green oases.

Fellow of Trinity and Director of the Museum of Zoology, Professor Paul Brakefield said BioBlitz was a deservedly popular event, attracting more than 300 people each year.

This weekend, scientists, conservationists and members of the public will join forces to locate, identify and log wildlife in Trinity’s Fellows’ Gardens.

The aim is to encourage the public to uncover nature on their doorstep, and to reconnect with the environment and what is around them whilst building up a picture of biodiversity in the chosen site.

Previously, BioBlitz has taken place on Coe Fen, the Botanic Garden, Wandlebury Country Park and Madingley Hall.