The 2026 Headlands Birding Festival will take place from September 18 – 20, 2026, at Headlands Beach State Park and other select locations. The event celebrates fall migration as birds travel thousands of miles 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 352 species documented in Lake County. This event is for 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 Peter Kaestner, who became the first person in history to observe 10,000 species of birds.
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, The Holden Arboretum, 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, non-profits, and food trucks will be on-site at Headlands from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM.
The event will conclude on Sunday with a flight watch at Lake Erie Bluffs, bird walks at Headlands and nearby parks, bird-banding demonstrations, 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, along with other local businesses.
Registration opens July 1, 2026
Visit https://headlandsbirdingfestival.com/ to register. The festival website also has the latest up-to-date information and additional birding resources to help you begin your birding journey or to further you birding experience.