Spring Birding Festival 2026
Shared Skies, Shared Stories
Join us for our annual Spring Birding Festival to celebrate migratory birds and the promise of spring.
This three-day festival - Friday, May 8th to Sunday, May 10th - offers bird and nature lovers of all ages, identities, abilities, and levels of expertise an opportunity to learn, connect, and be inspired.
Set against peak migration at Prince Edward Point, enjoy expertly guided walks, engaging speakers, bird-banding demos, and interactive and fun activities for kids and families. The festival is a unique opportunity to join together to celebrate the return of migratory birds and the arrival of spring.
Registration for guided walks and workshops opens Wednesday April 1st.
Please join us for this exciting event, kicking off the 2026 Spring Birding Festival
Elaine Anselmi, Ontario Bureau Chief of The Narwal
"Long Flights & Deep Dives: Environmental and Investigative Journalism"
Thursday, May 7th at 7pm, Picton Library - Flex Space
We are so excited to announce the
2026 Spring Birding Festival Keynote Address:
"Science of the Anishinaabek"
Andrés Jiménez Monge · Joseph Pitawanakwat · Junaid Shahzad
Friday, May 8th at 10am at Prince Edward Point, ON.
All are welcome!
(l-r) Andrés Jiménez Monge, Joseph Pitawanakwat, and Junaid Shahzad Khan - a trio dedicated to regathering and the education of bird names and significant Indigenous bird knowledge.
Joseph is the Founder & Director of Creator's Garden, an Anishinaabe education business focused on plant identification, beyond-sustainable harvesting, and teaching everyone of their linguistic, historical, cultural, edible, ecological and medicinal significance through experiences. He has learned from hundreds of traditional knowledge holders and uniquely blends this knowledge with and reinforces it with an array of western sciences.
Junaid is a Muslim-Canadian from the Indus Valley, from the region that is now Pakistan. Junaid has worked as an ecologist for over 12 years, on issues of invasive species, plastic pollution, habitat revitalization, insect conservation, and bird education. Through the ongoing learning of Anishinaabemowin, and working alongside community members looking to rejuvenate Anishinaabek cultural practices, he hopes to help support efforts towards Indigenous land sovereignty across Turtle Island.
Andrés is a Costa Rican Canadian biologist who strives towards creating deeper connections between people and the planet. From leading the campaign to ban shark finning in Costa Rica, to building international funding opportunities for Costa Ricans looking to study in the environmental field in Canada, to managing conservation programs across Canada, Andrés’ journey into nature goes back over twenty years. Andrés has an infectious enthusiasm for nature, which he utilizes to help foster its stewardship.
Cape May Warbler
Guided Walk Schedule
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6:15 AM 1st Net Check with the Banders
7 AM Traverse Woods Trail with Paul Jones
8 AM Lighthouse Trail with Matthew Christie
11 AM Youth Day walks with Chris Davidson & David Bree
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6:15 AM 1st Net Check with the Banders
7 AM Traverse Woods Trail with Mike Burrell
8 AM Lighthouse Trail with Matthew Christie
9 AM Traverse Woods Trail with Ketha Gillespie
9:30 AM Lighthouse Photography Walk with Paul Jones
10 AM Lighthouse Trail with Martie Bromby
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6:15 AM 1st Net Check with the Banders
7 AM Traverse Woods Trail with Phillip Mercier
8 AM Lighthouse Trail with Nick Bartok
8:30 AM Traverse Woods Trail with Martie Bromby
9 AM Lighthouse Trail with Paul Jones
10 AM Lighthouse Mother’s Day Family walk with Ketha Gillespie
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8 AM Lighthouse Trail with Cheryl Anderson
Workshop Schedule
Warbler ID with Phillip Mercier
Sunday, May 10th 9am-10am
Pre-registration Required - opens April 1st
$ by donation
Max 15 people
County Arts and PEPtBO present: Bird Felting for Families
Sunday, May 10th, 1pm-4pm @ County Arts Lab
Please register here
For more info, please contact: Sarah sarah@countyarts.ca
Eastern Kingbird
Talk Schedule
(no registration required)
Thursday May 7th
7 - 8 PM
Long Flights & Deep Dives: Environmental & Investigative Journalism with Elaine Anselmi from The Narwhal
Friday May 8th
10 - 11:30 AM
Keynote: Science of the Anishinaabek
Saturday May 9th
10 AM
Update from the Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas with Mike Burrell
12 PM
Chimney Swifts S.O.S! with Amy Bodman & Sheila Kuja
1 PM
TBD with Patricia Homonylo
Sunday May 10th
10 AM
Supporting Wildlife with Native Plantings with Dropseed Native Plant Nursery
11 AM
Designing for the Birds: from bird safety to bird friendly projects with Nina-Marie Lister (Ecological Design Lab)
12 PM
Creating Habitat for Wildlife Using Miyawaki Mini Forests & Thickets with Geraldine Jenkinson & Lise Bois
1 PM
Nature Photography with Ron Erwin
Youth Day - Friday May 8th
This will be the third year that we host a youth day on the opening day of the festival (Friday, May 8th). The first two youth days were very successful and with support from a local foundation, we are scaling up the 2026 youth day significantly. Several science classes (totalling approximately 90 students) from local high schools will travel by bus from Picton and the surrounding area to Prince Edward Point for a day of experiential learning about bird research and habitat conservation. Students will enjoy the keynote presentation, scheduled for Friday morning, entitled “Science of the Anishinaabek” with Joseph Pitawanakwat, Junaid Shahzad Khan and Andrés Jiménez Monge, a trio dedicated to teaching and sharing Indigenous bird knowledge. Following this, the students will learn about birding banding research, participate in a guided bird walk, and watch a documentary "Saving the Night Caller". We are excited to welcome students for a day of learning and nature connection.
Guided Walks, including Mother’s Day Family Walk
Seasoned guides will lead a variety of bird walks throughout the Festival, providing the opportunity to spot some of the most beautiful migrating and resident birds in the area. Whether it is a specialized bird photography walk led by acclaimed photographer Paul Jones, or an accessible walk with ample spots to sit and rest along the way, or a family walk in honour of Mother’s Day, there is something for everyone. Most of the walks are between 1.5 - 2 hours in length and are limited to 15 participants.
Mobility Assistance Equipment
The Observatory is happy to lend a variety of items to make your experience more enjoyable, including cane seats (walking canes that convert easily into seats for resting), wheeled carts to carry heavier birding equipment, and binoculars. Just check in with the station when you arrive to make arrangements.
Food & Merch
PEPtBO’s selection of bird-friendly coffee, caps, tees and stickers will be available for purchase during the festival and festival attendees will have the opportunity to vote on their favourite submission for PEPtBO’s latest t-shirt design contest. Kaleidoscope Catering will be on site serving yummy snacks on May 9-11.
Lighthouse walks depart from the Bird Observatory, Traverse Woods depart from the Traverse Woods trailhead. We encourage carpooling as parking near the Bird Observatory is limited.
Don't forget to dress for the weather. Mid-May can be variable and it tends to be cooler at The Point.
Events are 'rain or shine', please pack rain gear.
We will have some chairs and tables, but you may want to bring your own comfy one if you are attending the bird-banding demonstrations, or planning a picnic lunch. Please be aware that the event takes place in the Prince Edward Point National Wildlife Area, and visitors are subject to NWA regulations. As such, we ask that people pack out all garbage produced at the festival.
In order for us to plan effectively for our events, no refunds are available, however, tickets are transferable.
