Hearty Walks 2016

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council's Hearty Walks programme continues this Sunday, 10th January 2016, 2.30pm - 3.30pm. This walk is taking place along Blackhead Path, Whitehead, meeting at Blackhead car park. The walk will be led by trained walk leaders.

Blackhead Path is a bracing walk by the sea. The path runs northeast from Whitehead and is lined by interesting wildlife habitats including grassland, woodland (known locally as the 'Magic Forest') and a rocky shoreline. The Lough itself is an Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI) famed for its bird population, including nesting peregrine falcons. Meadow pipit, robin, goldfinch and chaffinch are commonly seen. There have also been recent sightings of stoat and otter and, on sunny days, watch out for lizard sunning themselves on rocks by the path. If you keep an eye on the beach and look out to sea, birds such as cormorant, shag, gannet, oyster catcher, redshank, turnstone, black-headed gull and common gull can be spotted. Seals, porpoise and dolphin can sometimes be seen swimming in the lough – a real treat.  

Walking is great for your physical and mental health - help reduce your risk of heart disease, control your weight, reduce blood pressure and cholesterol, boost immune system, and have a postive effect on depression, memory and creativity. 

Two more walks will also be taking place:

Sunday 24^th January, Bashfordsland Wood, Carrickfergus, 10.30am-11.30am

Sunday 14^th February, Marine Gardens, Carrickfergus, 2.30pm-3.30pm