Brought to you by
Friends of Headlands Beach State Park
The 2026 Headlands Birding Festival is taking flight
Planning is already underway for another unforgettable celebration of birds, nature, and community along Lake Erie.
Registration Opens July 1
Check back here for new festival details, featured guests, and schedule updates as plans take shape.
September 18 – 20, 2026
Presented by
In partnership with
Join us at the Headlands Birding Festival for a weekend of birdwatching, guided walks, and expert talks!
The annual Headlands Birding Festival will take place September 18 – 20, 2026, at Headlands Beach State Park and nearby parks. The event will celebrate the fall migration of bird species as they travel to their wintering grounds as far away as South America. The Headlands / Mentor Marsh region hosts some of the highest diversity and volume of migratory birds in the state, with 356 species documented in Lake County.
Bird experts will lead field trips to some of the region’s best migratory bird hotspots as well as a boating ‘pelagic’ on Lake Erie. There will be presentations on bird identification, migrations, and related topics.
Date and Time
September 18, 2026 · 3:30pm –
September 20, 2026 · 3:30pm
Refund Policy
Refunds up to 9 days before event. Please email headlandsbirdingfestival@gmail.com for refund requests.
General Registration $20
opens July 1, 2026 @ 5:00 pm
Registration includes:
- Access to festival programs
- Tote bag with festival logo
- Festival logo sticker
- Limited festival bookmark
- Satisfaction of knowing you are supporting the festival!
WORLD BIRDER PETER KAESTNER TO OPEN HEADLANDS BIRDING FESTIVAL
The Keynote speaker will be Peter Kaestner, who became the first person in history to observe 10,000 species of birds — a feat that he has repeated two more times! The story starts at the beginning and follows Peter’s life through almost 200 eBird countries and territories, as he defies death around the world. Peter will also speak to how birding has changed over the years, and how international birders can contribute to conservation.
Festival Highlights
Keynote Address by Peter Kaestner
Peter Kaestner will deliver the keynote address on Friday afternoon to kick off the festival.
Guided Bird Walks at Area Parks
Join a festival guide on a small group hike at Headlands Dunes, Mentor Marsh, and other nearby parks.
Lake Erie Pelagic Aboard “The Holiday”
Navigate the inland waters of Lake Erie in search of pelagic species.
Local Food Trucks and Vendors
Local food trucks and area vendors will be on-site with delicious options and unique goods.
Our 2026 Presenting Sponsor
Verdantas is proud to support the Headlands Birding Festival because it advances education, stewardship, and community engagement around one of Northeast Ohio’s most significant natural resources—the Lake Erie shoreline and its role in global bird migration. The festival’s focus on expert-led programming, public education, and inclusive outdoor experiences aligns with our commitment to thoughtful collaboration, scientific curiosity, and long-term resilience of natural systems. By supporting an event grounded in local partnership and volunteer leadership, Verdantas reinforces its dedication to strengthening communities while promoting informed appreciation and protection of the environment we all depend on.
Be Part of the Festival Community
There are many ways to support the Headlands Birding Festival—find the one that fits you.
Volunteer With Us
Meet fellow birders and help create an unforgettable weekend.
Support the Festival
Your gift helps fund programs, speakers, and conservation.
Partner With the Festival
Show your business’s commitment to nature and the community.
Powered by volunteers, donors, and local partners.
Bird of the Month – May 2026
The Blackburnian Warbler is an iconic bird of spring migration, its bright orange throat often appearing to glow. These warblers gather with flocks of migratory songbirds to forage during migration, when they are abundant in wooded areas. With their bright orange throat and high-pitched song, Blackburnian Warblers add life to even the rainiest spring days and the quietest fall days.
The festival is presented by Blackbrook Audubon Society, Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Friends of Headlands Beach State Park, City of Mentor Natural Resources, Lake Metroparks, and Tour Lake County.
Here’s what attendees had to say about last year’s festival:
You have knowledgeable and committed staff and volunteers. It showed how much the community cares about this “special” place.
Thank you for such a great event. I’ve been there 2 years in a row and plan to continue attending future years.
Awesome festival! Everyone was so nice and helpful! Can’t wait til next year!
The volunteers did a great job! Everyone was helpful and so kind to share their knowledge.
So much fun. Everyone was so friendly and helpful! We met people that we hope to connect with next year.
The best part was being around fellow birders. The [keynote] speaker was good and the sound system much improved since last year. The wine tastings and the snacks made for an enjoyable evening.