Wild Belfast events

International Year of Biodiversity logo Explore the rich variety of wildlife on offer in and around Belfast, and celebrate the International Year of Biodiversity in 2010, with our 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:

August

Wild Belfast events - August 2010
Date Time Location Event
Saturdays   Falls Park, Woodvale Park and Victoria Park Watch This Space
These Saturday clubs for children aged seven to 12 are organised by the council and the Ulster Wildlife Trust and take place every two weeks in Falls Park and monthly in Woodvale and Victoria Parks. Activities include mini-beast hunts, tree planting, seed collection, games and crafts and bird identification. There is a maximum of 20 children per day and each session costs 50p. To register, call the Ulster Wildlife Trust on 028 4483 0282.
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 batty. 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

Wild Belfast events - September 2010
Date Time Location Event
Saturdays   Falls Park, Woodvale Park and Victoria Park Watch This Space
These Saturday clubs for children aged seven to 12 are organised by the council and the Ulster Wildlife Trust and take place every two weeks in Falls Park and monthly in Woodvale and Victoria Parks. Activities include mini-beast hunts, tree planting, seed collection, games and crafts and bird identification. There is a maximum of 20 children per day and each session costs 50p. To register, call the Ulster Wildlife Trust on 028 4483 0282.
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

Wild Belfast events - October 2010
Date Time Location Event
Saturdays   Falls Park, Woodvale Park and Victoria Park Watch This Space
These Saturday clubs for children aged seven to 12 are organised by the council and the Ulster Wildlife Trust and take place every two weeks in Falls Park and monthly in Woodvale and Victoria Parks. Activities include mini-beast hunts, tree planting, seed collection, games and crafts and bird identification. There is a maximum of 20 children per day and each session costs 50p. To register, call the Ulster Wildlife Trust on 028 4483 0282.
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

Wild Belfast events - November 2010
Date Time Location Event
Saturdays   Falls Park, Woodvale Park and Victoria Park Watch This Space
These Saturday clubs for children aged seven to 12 are organised by the council and the Ulster Wildlife Trust and take place every two weeks in Falls Park and monthly in Woodvale and Victoria Parks. Activities include mini-beast hunts, tree planting, seed collection, games and crafts and bird identification. There is a maximum of 20 children per day and each session costs 50p. To register, call the Ulster Wildlife Trust on 028 4483 0282.
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

Wild Belfast events - December 2010
Date Time Location Event
Saturdays   Falls Park, Woodvale Park and Victoria Park Watch This Space
These Saturday clubs for children aged seven to 12 are organised by the council and the Ulster Wildlife Trust and take place every two weeks in Falls Park and monthly in Woodvale and Victoria Parks. Activities include mini-beast hunts, tree planting, seed collection, games and crafts and bird identification. There is a maximum of 20 children per day and each session costs 50p. To register, call the Ulster Wildlife Trust on 028 4483 0282.
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: