Cave Hill Conservation Campaign
Established in 1989
Awarded The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service in 2019.
Events 2024
Geology Walk on Cave Hill 20th April
We launched our 2024 series of Cave Hill guided walks today with a geology walk led by perhaps Northern Ireland's best-known geologist, Kirstin Lemon. We had 12 attendees and they found it very entertaining and informative. And the weather, after all the recent rain, was lovely.
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Belfast City Council's Spring Fair
We attended Belfast City Council's Spring Fair at Malone House 27th & 28th April. On both days our volunteers manned a stand featuring our working the Castle herb garden and we engaged with many members of the public. Two busy and enjoyable days.
Dawn Chorus Walk
Fifty of us gathered early on Cave Hill on 18th May at 5.00 am, for a dawn chorus walk.
It was led by Aaron Kelly, a well-known young environmentalist on Black Mountain. Aaron was full of enthusiasm and knowledge and contributed greatly to the enjoyment of the occasion.
Birds of the Cave Hill
Eighteen of us joined licensed bird-ringer Aidan Crean today, Saturday 25th May in the wood above the Castle. Aidan had put up special nets to catch the birds; he caught 12 of our native birds and ringed before releasing them. This process allows specialists, world-wide, to track the movement of birds between countries. It was fascinating to see the birds in close detail. Aidan entertained and informed us with his extensive knowledge of birds and their lives. And, for once, there was no rain!
The Big Lunch at Belfast Castle
On Saturday 1 June, Belfast City Council organised a Big Lunch in the grounds of Belfast Castle. This was an opportunity for families to visit and to enjoy a variety of child-friendly activities. We had a table there and we took short guided walks through the grounds near the Castle. It also allowed us to talk to the general public about our own activities.
Litter pick on Cave Hill carried out by employees of Mintel
On Friday 7 June, 11 employees of Mintel came and gave a morning's worth of their time and energy to lift 8 large bags of rubbish from the woods on Cave Hill. We owe them and their employer a debt of gratitude.
Botany walk on Cave Hill
A little bit of rain and cloudy skies did not deter 10 people from attending our botany walk on Saturday 15th June. Participants were well-rewarded; our guide Judy Meharg proved an entertaining speaker and a fount of knowledge, what you need exactly when walking in the most flower-rich part of the Country Park. A great experience..
Bug walk on Cave Hill
Fifteen of us gathered in the morning of 15 July in the wet to undertake a bug walk with Debbie Nelson. Because of the rain, there were no bugs flying, but we spent an entertaining two hours fossicking around in the woods, lifting stones and examining a range of creepy-crawlies. Debbie was able to identify everything we found and was very knowledgeable about them all. It was noticeable that even allowing for the weather, the range and number of insects and other invertebrates were well down on what we might have expected years ago. Troubling thoughts, indeed.
Solstice
At 3.30 in the morning, a small but select group set off on the annual Cavehill Conservation Solstice Walk to watch the sunrise from Cave Hill. Very overcast initially at the summit but soon started to clear. Photos don’t do justice to the amazing colours of the sunrise.
Foraging on Cave Hill
Thirty-six of us gathered on 17 August at the Castle to meet around Phil Simpson of @buzzardbushcraft and his daughter Lisa. Phil and Lisa led a superb forage walk in the woods around the Castle. Answering numerous questions from members, they showed us a wide range of plants and described their medicinal, practical and culinary uses. At the end, we were treated us to elderflower champagne, compote of wild fruits, nettle soup and biscuits made of a flour and nettle mix - all delicious. And what is more, there was no rain! What an enjoyable and educational morning!
