Headlands Birding Festival
Headlands Birding Festival FAQ
Got questions? We’ve got answers.
You’ve come to the right place! Here you’ll find answers to common questions about festival dates, registration, locations, birding walks, parking, and more. Whether you’re joining us for the first time or returning for another great year of birding along Lake Erie, this guide will help you plan your visit and make the most of your experience.
Can’t find your answer? We’re here to help.
General Information
The planning committee consists of representatives from ODNR, Tour Lake County, Friends of Headlands Beach State Park, City of Mentor Department of Natural Resources, Blackbrook Audubon Society, Cleveland Museum of Natural History, and Lake Metroparks as well as individual Lake county birders.
Your safety is important to us. In the event of a medical emergency, please call 911 immediately.
There will also be a first aid station with an AED and first aid kit located at the Friends of Headlands Beach State Park tent at Headlands Beach State Park.
Festival volunteers and staff can help direct you to the first aid station if needed.
Any of the bird walks at Veterans Park, Chagrin River Park, and Painesville Township Park are ADA accessible. Check the description of the walk for detailed accessibility information.
Not at all! The Headlands Birding Festival is designed for birders of all skill levels, from first-timers to lifelong enthusiasts.
Beginner-friendly walks: You’ll find specific walks and talks geared toward those just starting out.
Expert guidance: All of our guided walks are led by experienced birders who are happy to help with spotting and identification. They can also answer your questions about birds and their habitats.
Yes! All levels and ages of birders are welcome!
There are no concrete rules other than state and federal laws that protect habitat and wildlife. The American Birding Association has developed a Code of Ethics for birding, aimed at preserving a positive birding experience for both people and wildlife. Also, when photographing birds, please follow the guidance of Audubon’s Guide to Ethical Bird Photography and Videography.
Identification tips, field guide and binocular use, photography, birding by ear, conservation actions, art skills… Everything you could hope for and more!
Well, there’s no such thing as a “birder uniform,” so just be comfortable. While typically warm or hot, the weather in September can fluctuate, so wearing layers is a good way to ensure your comfort no matter what Ohio weather throws at us. You’ll want a comfortable pair of hiking or sturdy shoes for long hours of birding!
While most birds on the boardwalk will be at eye-level (sometimes a few inches from your face!), binoculars are extremely helpful for seeing fine details and birds far away.
For the best experience, we recommend bringing:
Binoculars: These are highly recommended to help you spot birds in cover or farther out over the lake.
Smartphone: Feel free to use the Merlin Bird ID app (or other identification apps).
A personal spotting scope is not necessary as our walk leaders will provide one if appropriate for the location. Individual scopes can actually slow down the group.
Weather-appropriate clothing: September weather can fluctuate, and rain could last for 30 minutes or all day. Rain gear may be helpful, and sturdy footwear is recommended. Dress in layers if the forecast calls for variability. But most importantly, dress comfortably.
See our Lodging page for more packing tips.
Your walk leaders will be keeping an eBird checklist for the group, which will be posted on the Recap page after the festival.
If you are attending the pelagic, a welcome email will be sent out prior to the festival that contains more information.
It depends. September weather can fluctuate, and rain could last for 30 minutes or all day. Inclement weather such as thunderstorms and tornadoes will prompt a trip cancellation. But a light drizzle shouldn’t postpone a trip.
We don’t expect anyone to leave their cell phone behind. However, we ask (for the enjoyment of others) to turn cell phones off or to vibrate.
Pets are prohibited in Ohio’s state nature preserves, which includes the Headlands Dunes State Nature Preserve area that comprises much of the festival. Leashed pets are permitted at Headlands Beach State Park, but not on the beach itself. Signs are posted in various areas indicating where pets are prohibited. See the ODNR Rules and Regulations page for more detailed information.
Alcoholic beverages are prohibited at Ohio Natural Areas and Preserves. See the Ohio Administrative Code 1501:17-11 for more information.
There are many lodging options near the festival, from hotels to bed and breakfasts, offering daily to weekly stays. Visit our Lodging page for more details.
There are lots of things to do in and around the festival. Visit our Local Attractions page to find the perfect activity to fill your day or week.
Registration
The 2026 annual Headlands Birding Festival is scheduled for September 18 – 20, 2026. Registration for the festival typically opens the month prior to the festival, but you can periodically check the website for up-to-date details.
While the parks are still open to the public during the festival, the small registration fee helps cover the cost of the festival and nets you a cool festival sticker. Registration also assists with estimating attendance. Having accurate attendance data is helpful when soliciting funding and sponsors for future years.
All the walks and outings are in the morning. The talks will be in the afternoon and evening. The location for the Saturday afternoon talks will list the location as a tent in the festival Agenda.
In the festival Schedule, under the description for each event or session, it will either list the cost or say whether it is free or free but requires registration. If there is a cost or registration is required, continue on to the registration page to get tickets and/or reserve your spot.
We will have the list of names of participants, but having your digital email confirmation or printout handy is helpful.
If you need to cancel a program, please contact headlandsbirdingfestival@gmail.com. You can use the Contact Us link on the website or send an email directly to us. Please include the name and email the registration was billed under, the program(s) you need to cancel, and the reason you are canceling (this will help us understand how we can better prepare our programs for next year). All refunds are issued back to your original payment method, less PayPal fees.
If the pelagic is canceled for weather-related reasons, PayPal fees will also be refunded. However, no refunds are issued for the General Registration tickets as this gives you access to the rest of the festival.
No refunds (other than the pelagic if it is canceled) will be issued after the “Cancel By Date.” It may take up to 5 business days for the refund to be completed, depending on your payment method.
Vendors and Food Service
There will be various food trucks and food vendors located in Parking Lot 1 & 2. Food vendors are requested to be on site during the festival on both Saturday and Sunday. Please see the Vendors page for a list of vendors and food service that will be at the festival.
Vendors and food trucks are located in Parking Lots 1 & 2 at the east end of the park. For a complete list of vendors and food trucks that will be attending the festival, please visit our Vendor page. If you are interested in becoming a vendor, you can apply on our Vendor Request page.
Supporting the Festival
The Headlands Birding Festival offers multiple levels of sponsorship, each with its own perks. Visit our Sponsorship page to learn more. If you do not want to be a sponsor of the festival, but are interested in contributing in other ways, you can also make a donation or volunteer at the festival.
Volunteers are essential for the Headlands Birding Festival, assisting with various tasks from preparations to event activities. Potential volunteers can learn more about roles and sign up on the volunteer page.
All donations received from registration go to the Friends of Headlands Beach State Park and will help offset the cost of this year’s and/or next year’s festival. Visit our Donations page to make your tax-deductible contribution today.
On-site Logistics
Parking is available throughout the park in the designated parking lots. There are festival activities in multiple locations in the park, with talks set up in the picnic area at the east end of the park, most walks and birding activities toward the east end of the park, and vendors and food trucks in Parking Lots 1 & 2 at the east end of the park. Some activities take place on the beach itself. Please see the Festival Grounds and Map page for more specifics.
We ask participants to arrive and check in at least 15 minutes before the start time of an activity to insure a prompt schedule. If you’re going out birding on your own, then feel free to go anytime during daylight hours – and even after dark if you’re looking for nighttime birds like owls!
Restrooms with flush toilets and sinks are located nearby, between Parking Lot 2 & 3. Additional restrooms are located near the middle of the park.
The location for each activity is listed under the title in the festival Agenda. Detailed meeting instructions are given in the description unless the activity requires a ticket or registration, then detailed instructions will be sent with the confirmation email. For general locations of tents, vendors, and program areas, see the the Festival Grounds and Map page.