We would like to thank everyone for making the Headlands Birding Festival a success this year!

We would like to extend a big thank you to our keynote speaker, Peter Kaestner, for sharing the stories of his adventures around the world in pursuit of 10,000 species and for kicking off the festival on Friday. Though the weather was rainy at times, many people were able to get out and enjoy birding throughout the weekend. Over 370 people registered for the festival, which gave them access to a variety of talks, walks, and programs throughout the weekend. We expanded our programs this year with 52 programs across 17 different hotspots. Non-registered attendees also stopped by on Saturday and Sunday to enjoy the vendor area, stationary guides, Big Sit, Mentor Marsh open house, and kids’ scavenger hunt.

2026 By the Numbers

376

Registered attendees

52

Programs

99

Volunteers and walk leaders

17

hotspots birded

63,219

Total birds observed

158

species

33

New festival birds

24

Warbler species

During the festival, over 63,000 birds were recorded on eBird checklists across the 158 species that were recorded on scheduled walks and by our guides during the festival, which is the highest total number of species we have had at the festival. The festival had 33 new species of birds seen in 2026! During the festival, 24 warbler species were seen, all three falcon species were documented, and all Ohio woodpeckers were seen. Attendees also had the opportunity to see migrating monarchs passing through Headlands Beach State Park and other festival sites over the weekend.

The Headlands Birding Festival wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of our sponsors, donors, walk leaders, walk co-leaders, stationary guides, speakers, volunteers, and partner organizations. Our sponsors provided the much-needed funds to make the festival happen, and our 50 volunteers helped to coordinate, prepare, check in, and support activities. We had 48 leaders, co-leaders, and stationary guides who led guided walks, educated attendees, and manned our stationary guide locations to help point out birds in notable hotspots. Our 8 speakers over the weekend covered topics on shorebird identification, fall warbler identification, the restoration of the Mentor Marsh, the return of the Eastern Bluebird, finding owls, eBird, bird photography, and a young man’s birding journey.

We are looking forward to seeing you all again in 2027!