The 2022 Festival of Birds highlights the wonders of the marsh with special programs and our bird of the year, the Green Heron.
Point Pelee National Park and the Friends of Point Pelee invite you to celebrate spring migration at the 2022 Festival of Birds from April 30 to May 23. There is so much to see and do at this year’s Festival. Welcome back!
Learn about the Marsh Restoration project and how it will benefits birds. Join Emma Burbidge, Resource Conservation Technician, for a brief overview of the project as it enters its third year.
Learn about the machines that will be used to remove invasive species such as Phragmites and discover the long-term benefits, goals and impacts of this important restoration work.
Can you find 100 species during your visit to Point Pelee National Park? Why not give the 100 Species Challenge a try? If you complete it, you’ll be awarded a limited edition Least Bittern pin.
The rules are simple: Count the number of bird species you see during your visit. Birds must be sighted within the Point Pelee Birding Area map (see below). Identification of species can be made visually or by ear.
All participants must follow proper birding ethics.
Remember to look beyond the Tip and experience the full diversity of birding by exploring the best places for bird watching inside and outside of the park.
Limiting your time at the Visitor Centre and the Tip will give you more time to spread out and explore all of the different ecosystems in the park and the birds that flock to them. You will discover an amazing diversity of species and you may even find your new favourite spot!
Here are some great links to help you make the most of your visit:
– Best Places for Bird Watching Inside and Outside of the Park
Know before you go!
After two years of virtual spring migration programming, this year’s in-person event will look just a bit different. Here’s a list of important ‘Know Before You Go’ tips:
– Lunch and Learn sessions have been replaced by a Spotlight On… Series. Visit this link for a full list of all Spotlight On… sessions
– While food and drink will not be allowed inside the Visitor Centre this year, there are lots of places nearby to enjoy meals al fresco including extra picnic tables and a larger Birding Information tent.
– The Friends of Point Pelee will offer a Birder Breakfast again this year behind the Visitor Centre. For lunch, consider visiting a local restaurant or bringing it from home – remember to pack out what you bring in!
– Festival of Birds merchandise and other souvenirs will be available at the Nature Nook bookstore in the Visitor Centre, and official Parks Canada merchandise is available all year round at the Camp Henry store.
– Masks are still recommended in all Parks Canada buildings
Parking and Transportation
– The Tip area is accessible by shuttle, foot or bicycle during the Festival of Birds. The shuttle will run daily from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
– Demand for parking near the Visitor Centre is high! Be prepared to park some distance from the Visitor Centre, and travel by foot or bike.
– Transportation between parking lots and to the Visitor Centre is not provided this year.
– Parking lots will be closed as they reach capacity.
– Be kind and take your car with you when you move to another area of the park beyond the Visitor Centre and the Tip. The demand for parking decreases the further North you explore in the park.
Additional resources … Just click on the link
– Point Pelee National Park Bird Watching
– Point Pelee National Park Festival of Birds
– eBird – a tool to collect and share bird sightings, photos and sounds
– iNaturalist – Canada’s gateway to a global species data sharing community
– Point Pelee National Park – Facebook
All images ©Parks Canada