HomeWild Belfast events
Explore the rich variety of wildlife on offer in and around Belfast with our 2010 Wild Belfast programme of events. All events are free, unless a charge is stated. Please note that some events require prior booking.
Sensible footwear and waterproof gear are recommended for outdoor events and all children must be accompanied by an adult.
You can also volunteer to help out at some of our events.
Programme of events
You'll find details of all Wild Belfast events here:March
| Date | Time | Location | Event |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday 21 March | 9.30am to 3pm | Belfast Hills | Four Peaks Challenge Enjoy a guided walk across the peaks of the Black Hill, Black Mountain, Divis Mountain and Armstrong’s Hill. This event costs £3 for adults and £2 for children. Booking is essential. Contact the National Trust on 028 9082 5434 for further details. |
| Saturday 27 March | Crafts 1pm to 2pm Walk 2pm to 4pm |
Meet at Colin Glen Forest Park | Spring Walk and Easter Crafts Create Easter decorations and go on a guided walk of Colin Glen Forest Park. Join park rangers as they point out the flora and fauna in the park. Crafts cost £3 per person, the walk is £3 per person, or enjoy both for £5. For more information, call Colin Glen Forest Park on 028 9061 4115. |
April
| Date | Time | Location | Event |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday 15 April (also 17, 22 and 24 April) | Ormeau Park | Neighbourhood Bird Watch at Ormeau Park Take part in a series of guided walks to look at the bird life in Ormeau Park. For more information, call Ballynafeigh Community Development Association on 028 9049 1161. |
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| Saturday 17 April | 10am to 1pm | Cave Hill Country Park | Cave Hill Conservation Campaign guided walk Enjoy a guided walk about the history and wildlife of Cave Hill. For more information, call the Cave Hill Conservation Campaign on 028 9029 1357. |
| Saturday 17 April | 10.30am to 1pm | Meet at Belfast Zoo car park | Hazelwood Spring Walk Enjoy a sea of bluebells and woodland flowers while discovering some fascinating wildlife at this area of scientific interest. The walk costs £2 for adults and £1 for children - Friends of Belfast Hills go free. It is not suitable for very young children. For further details, call the Belfast Hills Partnership on 028 9060 3466. |
| Saturday 24 April | 11am | Meet at Lock Keeper’s Cottage | Springtime Wildflower Wander Springtime sees hedgerows renew their annual bustle of life. Join staff from Lagan Valley Regional Park for a look at early wildflowers. Booking is essential. Call Lagan Valley Regional Park on 028 9049 1922 for further details. |
| Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 April | 1.30pm to 5.30pm | Malone House and Barnett Demesne | Spring Fair Find out more about the Spring Fair |
| Friday 30 April | 4.30pm until late | Crescent Arts Centre | Under One Roof Come along and enjoy a talk about swifts and hear about their incredible journey from Africa and their close relationship with us. The talk includes a tour of the newly-opened Crescent Arts Centre which is home to a colony of nearly 40 birds. For more information, call the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds on 028 9069 0843. |
May
| Date | Time | Location | Event |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday 1 May | 6am | Meet at Lock Keeper’s Cottage | Dawn Chorus Join Lagan Valley Regional Park guides and tune in to the sound of spring. This early morning stroll will take you through Belvoir Park Forest and along the banks of the River Lagan. Breakfast is included. Tickets cost £6 and booking is essential. To book your place, call Lagan Valley Regional Park on 028 9049 1922. |
| Friday 7 May | 11am | Meeting points vary - call 028 9049 1922 for more information. | Discovery Mornings Enjoy a guided walk through Lagan Valley Regional Park. For more information, call Lagan Valley Regional Park on 028 9049 1922. |
| Saturday 15 May | 10am to 1pm | Meet at Belfast Zoo car park | A Walk Through Hazelwood in Spring As part of a series of guided walks on the history and wildlife of Cave Hill, join staff from the council and the Cave Hill Conservation Campaign for a walk through Hazelwood Local Nature Reserve to look at the spring flowers. There's also an opportunity to get involved in managing the site. Please note that parts of this walk are steep and unsuitable for very young children. Booking is essential. Call us on 028 9032 0202 (extension 6652) for more information. |
| Saturday 22 May | 10am to 4pm | Belfast Hills Heritage Tour Learn about the rich heritage of the Belfast Hills by bus and on foot. Find out about the people who lived in the hills long ago and the old industries and trades they worked in and explore the area's surviving wildlife habitats. Tour includes scones, tea and coffee but participants should bring a packed lunch. Some walking is involved. The tour costs £16 for adults, £15 for senior citizens, £10 for children and £12 for Friends of the Belfast Hills. Booking is essential, - call the Belfast Hills Partnership on 028 9060 3466 to reserve your place. |
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| Saturday 22 May | 8.30pm to 10.30pm | Meet at Belfast Zoo | Let's Go Batty Take part in a night walk to search for bats with the Northern Ireland Bat Group. Tickets cost £5 and booking is essential. For more information, call Belfast Zoo on 028 9077 6277 or visit www.belfastzoo.co.uk |
| Saturday 22 May | 1.30pm to 10.30pm | Meet at Malone House | Flights of Fancy – Butterflies and Wildlife Gardening Join staff from the council for a fascinating talk about butterflies and get tips on what you can do in your garden to help these wonderful creatures. Weather permitting, we will also have a go at sweep netting to see what is available in the gardens and meadows around Malone House. Meet at Malone House. Booking is essential. Call the council on 028 9032 0202 (extension 6652). |
| Saturday 29 May | 10am to 2pm | Meet at Colin Glen Forest Park | Colin Glen Spring Fair Spring is in the air! Join park staff to celebrate all that Colin Glen Forest Park has to offer. The day will include heritage and nature walks, games and arts and crafts activities. Admission is £3 per activity or £5 for unlimited activities. Call Colin Glen Forest Park on 028 9061 4115 for more information. |
| Saturday 29 May | 11am | Meet at Lockview car park, Stranmillis | Butterfly and Moth Walk Discover the world of butterflies and moths at Lagan Meadows. This walk covers mixed terrain and includes some steps. Booking is essential. Call Lagan Valley Regional Park on 028 9049 1922 for further details. |
June
| Date | Time | Location | Event |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday 5 June | 2pm to 4pm | Meet at Belfast Castle | The Good, the Bad and the Ugly Join us in our search for strange and elusive insects at Belfast Castle. For more information, call us on 028 9032 0202 (extension 6652). |
| Thursday 10 June (also 12, 17 and 19 June) | Ormeau Park | Neighbourhood Bird Watch at Ormeau Park Take part in a series of guided walks to look at the bird life in Ormeau Park. For more information, call Ballynafeigh Community Development Association on 028 9049 1161. |
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| Wednesday 16 June | 7.30pm | Meet at Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park, lower car park | A Walk Through the Meadows Enjoy an informal tour of the wildflower meadows at Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park. For more information, call us on 028 9032 0202 (extension 6652). |
| Saturday 19 June | 10am to 1pm | Cave Hill Country Park | Cave Hill Conservation Campaign Guided Walk A series of guided walks on the history and wildlife of Cave Hill. For more information, call the Cave Hill Conservation Campaign on 028 9029 1357. |
| Saturday 19 June | 10.30am to 1pm | Meet at Colin Glen Forest Park Centre car park | Aliens Volunteering Day Help the Belfast Hills Partnership and Colin Glen Trust control the spread of Himalayan Balsam, an invasive species which threatens the biodiversity of the Belfast Hills. This event will involve light manual work. Call the Belfast Hills Partnership on 028 9060 3466 for more details. |
| Sunday 20 June | 11am to 1pm | Meet at Slievenacloy Nature Reserve | Sights and Sounds of Summer Experience the sights and sounds of Slievenacloy Nature Reserve on a ramble with the Ulster Wildlife Trust. Hear the beauty of birdsong, see the colourful blooms of orchids and marvel at the array of butterflies. If it’s a clear day, you can also enjoy awesome panoramic views of Belfast. The ramble costs £2 for adults and £1 for children. Booking is essential. For more information, call the Ulster Wildlife Trust on 028 4483 0282. |
| Saturday 26 June | 11am to 1pm | Meet at Colin Glen Forest Park | Ugly Bug Ball Celebrate National Insect Week with this fantastic nature walk which includes pond-dipping, mini beast hunt and artwork. You can also dress up as your favourite creepy-crawly! Admission is £3 per child. Call Colin Glen Forest Park on 028 9061 4115 for more information. |
| Wednesday 30 June | 7.30pm | Meet at Crescent Arts Centre | Swifts in Belfast Enjoy a talk and guided walk on swifts in Belfast. Come and learn about this fascinating species and what is being done to help it survive. Call the council on 028 9032 0202 (extension 6652) for more information. |
July
| Date | Time | Location | Event |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday 14 July | 7pm | Meet at Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park lower car park | Secret Garden Take a stroll through Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park, focusing on the less well-known parts of the park. Booking is essential. For more information, call Lagan Valley Regional Park on 028 9049 1922. |
| Thursday 15 July | 7pm to 9.30pm | Yellow Jack’s Cairn | An evening at Yellow Jack’s Cairn A guided evening walk over Armstrong’s Hill to Yellow Jack’s Cairn. Admission is £3 for adults and £2 for children. For more details, call the National Trust on 028 9082 5434. |
| Saturday 17 July | 10am to 1pm | Cave Hill Country Park | Cave Hill Conservation Campaign Guided Walk A series of guided walks on the history and wildlife of Cave Hill. For more information, call the Cave Hill Conservation Campaign on 028 9029 1357. |
| Wednesday 21 July to Saturday 24 July | Belfast Zoo | Native Species Days Find out about the native species living in your own back garden. Each day, the zoo will focus on a different species native to Northern Ireland, including birds, bugs and mammals. A Green Living day will also introduce simple methods, such as recycling, we can all take to encourage environmentally-friendly living. Call Belfast Zoo on 028 9077 6277 for more information. |
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| Saturday 24 July | Belfast Zoo | Biodiversity Fair Come along and see what Belfast Zoo and its partners are doing for our native species and learn more about local wildlife. For more information, call the zoo on 028 9077 6277. |
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| Saturday 31 July | 11am to 1pm | Meet at Knightsbridge Park entrance to Lagan Meadows | Damsels and Dragons Join staff from Lagan Valley Regional Park and the Ulster Wildlife Trust for a venture through the wetlands and waterholes of Lagan Meadows on the trail of the dragonfly. Booking is essential. For more information, call Lagan Valley Regional Park on 028 9049 1922. |
August
| Date | Time | Location | Event |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday 3 and Thursday 5 August | 8.30pm | Colin Glen Forest Park | Bat Nights at Colin Glen Come and enjoy a bat talk and walk through Colin Glen Forest Park using bat detectors. Participants are advised to bring their own torches. Admission is £3 per person. For more information, call the Colin Glen Trust on 028 9061 4115. |
| Friday 6 August | 9.30pm | Meet at Minnowburn car park | Minnowburn Bat Night Take a walk and discover the bats that inhabit the woods and waterways of Minnowburn. Don't forget your torch! Some bat detectors will be available. Booking is recommended. Admission is £2 for adults and £1 for children. For further details, call the National Trust on 028 9064 7787. |
| Saturday 7 August | 2pm to 4pm | Meet at Bog Meadows | Urban Wildlife Safari Discover nature in the heart of Belfast on a guided walk of Bog Meadows with the Ulster Wildlife Trust. Hear about the history of this surviving river floodplain and get up close to some of the many different birds, butterflies and wildflowers that live here. Booking is essential. For more information, call the Ulster Wildlife Trust on 028 4483 0282. |
| Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 August | Belfast Zoo | Red Squirrel Fun Days Come along for a weekend of fun at Belfast Zoo and help raise awareness of the red squirrel. For more information, call Belfast Zoo on 028 9077 6277 or visit www.belfastzoo.co.uk |
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| Thursday 19 August | 7pm to 9.30pm | Divis Mountain |
An evening on the Turf Beds
Enjoy a guided evening walk around the north slope of Divis Mountain to the Turf Beds. Admission is £3 for adults and £2 for children. For more information, call the National Trust on 028 9082 5434. |
| Saturday 21 August | 10am to 1pm | Cave Hill Country Park | Cave Hill Conservation Campaign Guided Walk A series of guided walks on the history and wildlife of Cave Hill. For more information, call the Cave Hill Conservation Campaign on 028 9029 1357. |
| Wednesday 25 August | 8pm to 10pm | Meet at Bog Meadows | Batty Night Out Join the Ulster Wildlife Trust’s bat expert, Robin Moffitt, for an illustrated talk and walk to find out more about these fascinating creatures. See and hear bats in their natural environment using special detectors and learn how all those bat myths are just plain 'batt. Booking is essential. For more information, call the Ulster Wildlife Trust on 028 4483 0282. |
| Wednesday 25 and Thursday 26 August | 9pm | Meet at Belvoir Activity Centre | Going Batty in Belvoir Join staff from Lagan Valley Regional Park for a slideshow and dusk walk through Belvoir Forest Park and along the riverside to discover the wonderful world of bats. Booking is essential. For more information, call Lagan Valley Regional Park on 028 9049 1922. |
| Saturday 28 August | 7.30pm to 9.30pm | Meet at Belfast Zoo | Let’s Go Batty Join this night walk and search for bats with the Northern Ireland Bat Group. Tickets are £5 and booking is essential. Call Belfast Zoo on 028 9077 6277 for more information or visit www.belfastzoo.co.uk |
September
| Date | Time | Location | Event |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday 6 to Friday 10 September | 11am to 1pm | Various locations across Belfast | Parks Heritage Week Take part in a series of walks and unearth the heritage and history of our local parks. The walks include Belfast Castle (Monday), Lagan Meadows (Tuesday), Barnett Demesne (Wednesday), Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park (Thursday) and Ormeau Park (Friday). For more information, call us on 028 9032 0202 (extension 6651). |
| Saturday 11 September | 11am | Meet at Lock Keeper’s Cottage | Spider Safari Join our resident ‘spiderologist’ to delve into the fascinating world of spiders. Booking is essential. For more information, call Lagan Valley Regional Park on 028 9049 1922. |
| Saturday 18 September | 10am to 1pm | Cave Hill Country Park | Cave Hill Conservation Campaign Guided Walk A series of guided walks on the history and wildlife of Cave Hill. For more information, call the Cave Hill Conservation Campaign on 028 9029 1357. |
October
| Date | Time | Location | Event |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday 16 October | 11am | Meet at Shaw’s Bridge car park | Fungal Foray Join our guided walk to take a look at the amazing world of fungi. Booking is essential. For more information, call Lagan Valley Regional Park on 028 9049 1922. |
| Saturday 16 October | 10am to 1pm | Cave Hill Country Park | Cave Hill Conservation Campaign Guided Walk A series of guided walks on the history and wildlife of Cave Hill. For more information, call the Cave Hill Conservation Campaign on 028 9029 1357. |
| Wednesday 30 October | 2pm to 4pm | Meet at Malone House car park | Fairy Clubs, Earth Tongues and Waxcaps Join us for a guided walk to look at the rich tapestry of colourful fungi in Barnett Demesne. For more information, call us on 028 9032 0202 (extension 6652). |
November
| Date | Time | Location | Event |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday 20 November | 11am | Meet at Minnowburn car park | Remarkable Trees of Minnowburn Take a guided walk with the National Trust and Lagan Valley Regional Park to look at the more unusual trees in Minnowburn. Booking is advisable. For more information, call Lagan Valley Regional Park on 028 9049 1922. |
| Saturday 27 November | 3.30pm | Meet on the Lagan walkway at Albert Bridge (west side) | Starling Spectacle Enjoy a look at one of Belfast's most spectacular wildlife sights, as thousands of starlings gather to roost at Albert Bridge. For more information, call us on 028 9032 0202 (extension 6652). |
December
| Date | Time | Location | Event |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday 4 December | 4pm | Meet at Lock Keeper’s Cottage | Roost Ramble Come and explore the mysterious and exciting world of crows at roosting time. Booking is essential. For more information, call Lagan Valley Regional Park on 028 9049 1922. |
Volunteering opportunities
There are a number of ways you can volunteer to protect wildlife in Belfast.Examples include:
- Green Gym - take part every Saturday from 9.30am to 3pm in the greater Belfast area. Call 028 9064 5169 or 077 6465 5670 for more information.
- Grass Roots - fortnightly on Sundays from 10am to 4pm in Lagan Valley Regional Park. Call 028 9058 0339 for further details.
- Lagan Valley Regional Park - volunteers welcome on the second and last Saturday of every month from 10.30am to 1pm. Call 028 9049 1922 for more information.
- National Trust - short and long-term opportunities available at Black and Divis Mountain, Minnowburn and Lisnabreeny. Call 028 9064 7787 to find out more.
- Conservation Volunteers Northern Ireland - short and long-term opportunities available across Northern Ireland. Call 028 9185 2817 to register.
- Watch This Space - Saturday clubs for children and young people in Falls, Victoria and Woodvale Parks. For more information, call the Ulster Wildlife Trust on 028 4483 0282.
