Spring Birding Festival 2025
Birding & Nature: A World of Wonder for Every Body
Join us for our annual Spring Birding Festival to celebrate migratory birds and the promise of spring.
This three-day festival - Friday, May 9th to Sunday, May 11th - offers bird and nature lovers of all ages and levels of expertise an opportunity to learn, connect, and be inspired - all within a welcoming community setting.
Set against peak migration at Prince Edward Point, enjoy guided walks, interactive workshops, bird-banding demos, and kids' activities, delicious food, bird-themed merchandise, and more!
This year marks PEPtBO’s 30th anniversary, and we have developed our most exciting program to-date.
Big thanks to our sponsors Vortex Canada, Trailhead, Picton Rotary, Merrill House, Asio Adventures, Wellington Rotary, Moore Mortgage Services, and Sugarbush Vineyards!
Black-throated Blue Warbler by Ashley Jensen
Guided Walk Schedule
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8 AM Traverse Woods Trail with Jenny Newton
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6:15 AM 1st Net Check with the Banders
7 AM Traverse Woods Trail with Nick Bartok
8 AM Lighthouse Trail with Mikaela Naumann
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7 AM Traverse Woods Trail with Ketha Gillespie
8 AM Lighthouse Trail with Brian Joyce
9 AM Traverse Woods Trail with Chris Davidson
10 AM Lighthouse Trail with Cheryl Anderson
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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 Chris Davidson
8:30 AM Lighthouse Photography Walk with Paul Jones
9 AM Traverse Woods Trail with Mikaela Naumann
9:30 AM Sit and Spot with Martha Bromby
10 AM Lighthouse Mother’s Day Family walk with Ketha Gillespie
Workshop Schedule
Learn More about Birds through Nature Journaling with Corina Brdar
Saturday, May 10th 11am-12pm
$ by donation
Max 20 people aged 12 years and up
Warbler ID with Phillip Mercier
Sunday, May 11th 12pm-1pm
$ by donation
Max 15 people
County Arts and PEPtBO present: Bird Friendly Window Design Workshop
Sunday, May 11th, 1pm-5pm @ County Arts Lab
Please register here
For more info, please contact: Stacey Sproule stacey@countyarts.ca
Western Palm Warbler by Ashley Jensen
Talk Schedule
(no registration required)
Friday May 9th
10 - 10:30AM
Opening of the Festival
11 - 11:30 AM
An Introduction to the Monarch Point Conservation Area with Samantha Dunlop from Ontario Parks
12 - 12:30 PM
Bird-safe Windows & Yards with Nina-Marie Lister
Saturday May 10th
10 - 10:30AM
Local Actions for Global Impact: Bird-friendly Certification in the Bay of Quinte with Dan Guenther
12 - 12:30 PM
Moths with David Bree
12:30 - 12:45PM
30th Anniversary Celebration with cake & bird-friendly coffee
12:45 - 1:30PM
PEPtBO Founders Forum with Terry Sprague, Rosemary Kent, Joanne Dewey, and Brian Joyce
Sunday May 11th
9:30 - 10AM
Book Signing with Yvonne Buys, author of “Look What Flew Through the County”
10 - 10:30 AM
Soft Landings - Working with Native Plants in a Home Landscape with Dropseed Native Plant Nursery
10:30 - 11AM
Gardening for the Birds: Natural Bird Feeders with Kat Burns
11 - 12PM
Out of the Lyme Light & Into the Sunlight: Birding as Therapy for the Chronically Ill with Bob Bell
Bird Banding Demonstrations
(no registration required)
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8:30 AM
9:30 AM
10:30 AM
11:30 AM
12:30 PM
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8:30 AM
9:30 AM
10:20 AM
11:30 AM
12:20 PM
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8:30 AM
9:30 AM
10:20 AM
11:30 AM
12:30 AM
Youth Day - Friday May 9th
Building on last year’s festival success, we are excited to once again host a dedicated Youth Day. Local high school students will travel by bus to Prince Edward Point for a day of nature connection and an introduction to the importance of bird banding research in bird and habitat conservation. They will also have the opportunity to participate in an art and biodiversity workshop and a guided bird walk.
Guided Walks & Mother’s Day 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.