Hearty Walk on Valentines Day

The last of our Hearty Winter Walks took place on Sunday 14th February. Attendees walked through some of our fantastic green spaces - Shaftesbury Park, Carrickfergus Mill Ponds and along Marine Highway, before warming up with tea and coffee in Marine Gardens.

Friends Of make bird boxes for Bashfordsland Wood & Oakfield Glen

The Friends Of made bird boxes suitable for small birds, such as blue tits and robins, and completed a bird survey of the woodland this Saturday, 13th Feb. 

The next task day is Saturday 12th March

Ecos Nature Park - Visitor Survey

 The Parks and Open Spaces team would like to better understand who visits our sites and why. Feedback on what you think is great about the site and how the site could be improved is welcomed.

 If you have visited Ecos Nature Park, Ballymena please take a moment to complete our short survey. Please click here to complete the survey. 

Thank you in advance for your valued feedback.

Ecos Nature Park, Ballymena

A Hearty Walk on Valentines Day!

The final Hearty Walk takes place on Sunday, 14th February, 2.30pm - 3.30pm. Walkers to meet at the Clock Tower in Marine Gardens, Carrickfergus. The walk will be led by trained walk leaders.

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

Friends of

The 'Friends Of' group will be meeting on Saturday, 13th Feb 2016, 10am - 1pm. Continuing on from the Big Garden Birdwatch we will have a bird themed task this month. 

Dig In

Experts will be on site at Eden Allotment Gardens this Sunday, 7th February, 11am - 4pm, to provide practical help and advice to plot holders. 

Big Turnout for Bird Birdwatch

 We had over 100 participants at our Birdwatch events this weekend. 

Our bird box builders made nest boxes specifically for small birds like robins and even smaller birds like blue tits. 

At our Bird Ringing Workshop participants were able to ring 50 birds including great tit, chaffinch, dunnock, goldcrest and wren. Participants also spotted a sparrowhawk. 

The birds most seen over the three days were blue tit and great tit but our bird watchers also saw plenty of robins, blackbirds, house sparrows and woodpigeon. 

A great turn out! Thanks to all involved!

For more information and to submit your results visit the RSPB wesbite

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Cllr Billy Ashe, joining in the Birdwatch at Ecos Nature Park Ballymena

Birdwatch, Ecos Nature Park Ballymena

Bird box building, Ecos Nature Park Ballymena

Jake, Lee & Beth Duffin bird box building in Dixon Park Larne

Dan Bondaran, Ruari O’Toole, Harry Reid with their bird boxes, Dixon Park Larne

Bird ringing workshop, Oakfield Glen Carrickfergus

Hugo McCollam learning how to bird ring at Oakfield Glen Carrickfergus

Chaffinch, Oakfield Glen Carrickfergus