Cave Hill Conservation Campaign
Established in 1989
Awarded The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service in 2019.
Photos of Member Events held in 2025
26 April 2025 Rocks of Cave Hill
On an early spring day in April, the first of our guided walks, Rocks of Cave Hill, took place. The weather was rather misty but the geology walk was fascinating and the twelve who joined it, enjoyed every minute.
Dawn Chorus on Cave Hill
It was a perfectly splendid this morning, on 17th May, for a dawn chorus walk. Eleven of us met Aaron Kelly at 5 am at the gates to the Park and we spent the next two hours we strolled, chatted and above all, listened to a range of birds singing at top volume. Aaron proved very knowledgeable, entertaining and informative. A lovely walk!
The Birds of Cave Hill
Aidan Crean, well-known birdman and licensed bird-ringer allowed seventeen of us to look on while he ringed small birds on Cave Hill this morning. The weather was kind and Aidan was in top form. We were able to get very close to blue tits, a great tit and the smallest bird in Ireland, the gold crest. It was a lovely life-affirming occasion.'m a paragraph.
Community Event at Belfast Castle
Belfast City Council organised a large community event yesterday - Saturday- at Belfast Castle. We were invited to put up a stand where we engaged the public. We gave line drawings of Cave Hill to children to colour in and we guided two 45-minute walks around the Park for interested groups. And the forecast rain nearly held off - we just had a couple of showers. It was, all in all, a memorable and enjoyable event.
Planting wild flowers at the Maze
In late May we added to the maze by planting a mix of native seeds. We planned 30 different varieties in a small area beside the fruit trees.
Belfast City Council then stood us coffee and scones on the terrace of the Castle as a well-deserved treat.
We now look forward to seeing a variety of native wide flowers later on in the summer!
Developing the Maze
​
In February 2022, our volunteers started serious attempts to recreate the maze. Inthat year they planted 800 willow whips which have been bent and replanted to thicken the 'walls' in the maze. There was also a challenge to be met in the veery wet weather and the resultant flooding. Members also planted donated fruit trees and some other plants. Their hard work is beginning to show results as you will see in the difference between the photos taken in 2022 and in 2024
The development of the Maze continues into 2025
​
And now in 2024/5 we are beginning to get the makings of a real Maze. Work continues!
Solstice Walk 2025
Twenty-two of us walked to McArt's Fort this morning to see the rising of the sun at just after 4.45.
We joined about 100 people gathered at different places along the top on the same mission.
We were rewarded with a beautiful morning, warm and still and we hung about taking it all in for about 30 mins. We organise this particular walk every year but this was the best ever!
A Bug Bonanza on Cave Hill in Mid July
Twenty of us, including an amazing bunch of young enthusiasts, Debbie Nelson (aka Debbie Doolittle!) on a walk around Belfast Castle Estate, where bugs were found in abundance. The weather held and a great day was had by everyone.
Cave Hill Conservation Campaign run a series of events every year when you can find out more about birds, animals, plants among flowers as well. Our programme of events, as well as details about becoming a member, are here on our web pages. Our events are free of charge although donations are always welcome.
To discover more about Debbie’s amazing work at her wildlife rescue centre, visit https://debbiedoolittleswildlife.co.uk/
