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/
Botany Walk
(starting at Upper Hightown Road)
Sixteen of us (and a dog, Lola) met this morning, of 16th August. It turned out to be a very informative, inspiring and enjoyable walk around the Park looking at the wide range of flowers, trees and other assorted plants. As you can see, we were mainly in cloud, particularly over the higher ground, but the temperature was comfortable and the walking pace kind. Many thanks, Judy.
Bats of Cave Hill September 2025
The Bat Walk at Belfast Castle grounds on Friday 5 September 2025 at 20:30 proved to be a highly successful and engaging event. Led by expert Aidan Crean, the walk attracted 46 participants who were able to experience first-hand the presence of bats within the castle estate. The evening offered both an educational and practical insight into the ecology of bats, their behaviour at dusk, and their significance within local biodiversity. The level of interest and enthusiasm shown by participants, particularly the children reflects the growing value placed on conservation activities of this kind, and the walk stands as an excellent example of how expert-led community events can inspire greater environmental awareness.
Fungal Foray on Cave Hill in September
Cormac suggested to the 40 people who had turned up at Belfast Castle that morning, that they were made of hardy stuff! The rain was pelting down and was forecast to get worse. However, the combination of Debbie Nelson's knowledge and expertise and natural curiosity, had them drawn. Over the next two and a half hours, they did indeed discover a great variety of fungi. Debbie was on top of her game and proved very entertaining and informative. But, as everyone got wetter, people started drifting away - and by the time we were finished – early, at 12.30 - there were eight of us left - all soaking wet. An epic morning in all sorts of ways!
Archaeology Walk on Cave Hill in October
We finished off our Cave Hill walks season in grand style this morning (Saturday 18 October) with an archaeology walk. 16 of us met local archaeologist Cormac McSparron and we walked from the car park on the Upper Hightown Road across the meadows and up the back of the hill. Thence along the track to the car park again. Throughout the three hours Cormac treated us to what the archaeology of Cave Hill tells us about 9000 years of local history. He kept us engaged and intrigued with his wide range of knowledge and anecdotes. A grand walk indeed!
