The 2025 Headlands Birding Festival will take place from September 19–21, 2025, at Headlands Beach State Park and other select locations. The event celebrates the fall migration of bird species traveling to their wintering grounds, some as far away as South America.
The Headlands and Mentor Marsh region hosts some of the highest diversity and volume of migratory birds in the state, with 352 species documented in Lake County. This event welcomes birders and nature enthusiasts of all ages and experience levels.
A welcome reception will be held on Friday evening at the Springbrook Gardenhouse, featuring keynote speaker Julie Zickefoose, a talented naturalist, writer, and artist from Ohio’s Appalachian foothills. Northeast Ohio wineries will offer wine samples and bottles for purchase.
On Saturday, activities include a birding boat trip along the Lake Erie coast and guided bird walks at Headlands, Lake Erie Bluffs, Mentor Marsh State Nature Preserve, Mentor Lagoons, Chagrin River Park, and other locations.
Afternoon expert presentations will cover topics such as bird identification, habitat restoration, and the use of technology in birding. Nature-themed vendors, nonprofits, and food trucks will be on-site at Headlands from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM.
The event will conclude on Sunday morning with a bird banding demonstration, a flight watch at Lake Erie Bluffs, and additional activities.
The Headlands Birding Festival is hosted by Headlands Beach State Park, Tour Lake County, Lake Metroparks, City of Mentor, Blackbrook Audubon Society, The Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Friends of Headlands Beach State Park, and Ohio Division of Natural Areas and Preserves.
The event is sponsored by Verdantas, Ken Ganley Subaru of Wickliffe, HZW Environmental Consultants, Wild Birds Unlimited, Meadow City Nursery, Avonlea Gardens and Inn, Electrical Innovations LLC, Akron Audubon Society, Eric C. Ziegler Financial Advisor at Edward Jones, Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Burroughs Nature Club.
Visit www.headlandsbirdingfestival.com for more information or to register.