A Visit to the Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle (Paris) in April 2026

While on a work trip to Paris, I had some time and after strolling along the Seine, thought I would take a wander through the Jardin des Plantes and make a visit to the one of the world's greatest natural history museums, none other than the Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle (MNHN).

I was last at the MNHN in 2023 for that year's BHL Annual Meeting. That visit was bittersweet as it was the first BHL meeting without Constance Rinaldo. We had lost her the previous year (in October 2022). At the Paris meeting, however, we were able to celebrate her life and accomplishments along with members of her family.

So, this visit was a bit different (and as a side note, the 2026 BHL Annual meeting was taking place this very same week, but, as in 2016, in London at the Natural History Museum  and Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. But I digress. 

Grande Galerie de l'Évolution

On this visit (27 April 2026), I went to hit a few highlights -- chief among them the Grande Galerie de l'Évolution (above). The dodo exhibit was a bit disappointing. Seems the "disparues" animal exhibit was being redone, so there was no grand dodo on display this time.

I wandered around a bit more (lots of stairs, but in a nice open plan). Headed out and went across the way to pay respects at the House of Buffon, that would be Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon. The building is now the offices of the scientific publishing wing of the MNHN (back in 2018, at my first visit to the MNHN we had some meetings with Laurence Bénichou (Head of Publishing and a longtime and strong supporter of BHL). 

Time to move on. Decided to look for lunch, but can't decide where, almost go to the cafe at the Grande Mosquée de Paris but realize I can't get a beer there so move on. None of the lunch spots are hitting what I’m looking for. Finally, decide to go to Place de la Contrescarpe which seems packed with eateries. I get there and there are throngs of people in cafes. I choose, the Cafe La Contrescarpe, almost get mussels, but choose steak and frites which includes 3 deviled eggs and a salad. Very good. I add a beer, but just one! Food and service are very good. My table overlooks the Place, so good people watching options.

A Visit to the Statens Naturhistoriske Museum (Copenhagen) in March 2026

While attending the 2026 GBIF Midterm Meeting in Copenhagen (Denmark) I had a chance to visit the recently (re)opened Statens Naturhistoriske Museum. On previous visits to Copenhagen, I'd visited the museum when it was located at the University of Copenhagen, near the Fælledparken (Østerbro). 

The new museum (not yet fully open) has a fascinating history, but most interestingly, it can trace it's roots back to Ole Worm and his Museum Wormianum: 

The history of the individual departments, which now are part of the united Natural History Museum of Denmark, can be traced back to the 17th century. One historical figure in particular played a crucial role in the creation of the Danish national heritage, namely Ole Worm (1588–1654). His cabinet of natural curiosities, the Museum Wormianum, formed together with the Royal Danish Cabinet of Curiosities the nucleus of what later would become the Geological Museum and the Zoological Museum. In 1621 Ole Worm also became the director of the Botanical Garden, which at that time had been quite neglected. Here he introduced a large variety of medicinal plants and rare species from abroad. -- Wikipedia

The museum now houses the exhibition, "A cabinet of curiosities: Ole Worm’s ‘Museum Wormianum’ (1655)" a recreation of the Museum Wormianum by artist Rosamond Purcell. In this installation of the work, the museum has also included some of the original artifacts from Worm's Museum in a nearby exhibition case, including the "crocodile on the ceiling" and "deer jaw in tree". 

Also of interest to me (of course) is the Raphus cucullatus (Linnaeus, 1758) in their collection.

See also the following posts:

• Meeting: 2026 GBIF Midterm Meeting (24-25 March 2026, Copenhagen)
• iNaturalist Observations: In and Around Copenhagen (22-31 March 2026)

Meeting: 2026 GBIF Midterm Meeting (24-25 March 2026, Copenhagen)

I traveled to Copenhagen in late March for the 2026 GBIF Midterm meeting. This gathering brings together the GBIF Executive Committee, Science Committee, Nodes Steering Group, and, for me, the GBIF Budget Committee (where I serve as 1st Vice Chair). 

Members of the GBIF Secretariat also attend portions of the meeting and it provides a good look into the plans for the coming year that will be further explored during the GBIF Governing Board meeting (this year being held in September in Oslo, Norway.

From left: Liam, Pierre, Swag

Deliberations during the meeting are not public, but the one exciting bit was a preview of some ideas to mark the 20th anniversary of GBIF during the course of 2026.

Flying into Copenhagen

See also the following posts:

• iNaturalist Observations: In and Around Copenhagen (22-31 March 2026)
• A Visit to the Statens Naturhistoriske Museum (Copenhagen)

iNaturalist Observations: In and Around Copenhagen (22-31 March 2026)

Nesting Mute Swan

I attended the 2026 GBIF Midterm meetings in Copenhagen in March 2026. I added on a few days of holiday to visit some of my favorites in the city.

The weather wasn't really good for a lot of observations and I didn't get out of the city, so many of my observations were of birds (especially around the Lakes). 

Total: 23-31 March 2026 (as of 1 April 2026)

• Observations: 89

• Species: 38

Notables

• Eurasian wigeon (Mareca penelope)

• Great Tit (Parus major)

• Deer (partial jaw)

Here are all my observations from various trips to Denmark: Denmark: My Observations

Jaw of a species of Dear

First Spotted Lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) observation of the year

 

Last year, I made my first Lycorma delicatula observation on 13 April 2025. This year, it was 10 days earlier (3 April 2025) in nearly the same spot. With the large number of (visible) egg masses in my neighborhood, I fear it will be another booming year. 

In 2025, I made 1,519 observations in Arlington, Virginia.

iNaturalist Observations: In and Around Croatia & Slovenia (14-25 February 2026)

 Croatia & Slovenia

February wasn't the best time of year to be doing iNaturalist observing in Croatia and Slovenia, especially in mostly urban locations. Lots of birds (and lots of Feral Pigeons). Plenty of opportunities for urban botanizing and, especially in Ljubljana, water fowl.

Croatia

At right is a Hooded Crow (Corvus cornix)

The hooded crow (Corvus cornix), also colloquially called just hoodie, is a Eurasian bird species in the genus Corvus. Widely distributed, it is found across Northern, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe, as well as parts of the Middle East. It is an ashy grey bird with black head, throat, wings, tail, and thigh feathers, as well as a black bill, eyes, and feet. Like other corvids, it is an omnivorous and opportunistic forager and feeder. -- iNaturalist

My Observations

Total: 14-20 February 2026 (as of 28 February 2026)

• Observations: 28

• Species: 17

Notables

• Saw quite a few Hooded Crows (Corvus cornix)

Slovenia

At right is a European Firebug (Pyrrhocoris apterus): 

The firebug, Pyrrhocoris apterus, is a common insect of the family Pyrrhocoridae. Easily recognizable due to its striking red and black coloration, it may be confused with the similarly coloured though unrelated Corizus hyoscyami (cinnamon bug or squash bug). Pyrrhocoris apterus is distributed throughout the Palaearctic from the Atlantic coast of Europe to northwest China. Beyond its native Palaearctic range, it has been recorded in the United States, Central America, India, and Australia. It has been reported as recently expanding its distribution northwards into mainland United Kingdom and eastward on to the coast of the Mediterranean Sea.They are frequently observed to form aggregations, especially as immature forms, containing from tens to perhaps a hundred individuals. - iNaturalist

My Observations

Total: 20-25 February 2026 (as of 28 February 2026)

• Observations: 58

• Species: 31

Notables

• European Firebug (Pyrrhocoris apterus)