Point Pelee Festival of Birds

The Friends of Point Pelee and Point Pelee National Park invite you to celebrate spring migration at the 2025 Festival of Birds from May 1 to May 20. Located in the municipality of Leamington, in the County of Essex, Point Pelee National Park is the smallest National Park by size, but comes to life in a big way every May for the Annual Point Pelee Festival of Birds.

Over 370 species of birds can be found at Point Pelee National Park. In spring birds return from their winter migration to nest and breed, pass through before heading further north, or are permanent year-round residents of this southernly most tip of Canada. This event is one of the biggest and best attended bird festivals in the country. Established in 1918, Point Pelee’s 1,564 hectares (3,860 acres) is dominated by marsh and wetlands, however, a strong Carolinian forest exists which makes Point Pelee and southwestern Ontario rather unique to the rest of the country. Point Pelee is located in Southwestern Ontario, approximately 1 hour drive south from Detroit, Michigan, or a 3-hour drive west of Toronto. 

• Learn about Savannah restoration and how it benefits birds
• Purchase exclusive Festival merchandise featuring the American Woodcock
• Complete the 100 Species Challenge and earn the limited-edition Canada Warbler pin

Birding Hikes

Join an experienced hike leader for a two-hour hike you’ll never forget!

• Morning hikes leave from the Visitor Centre and focus on songbirds.
• Catch up with migrating songbirds later in the day! Afternoon north-end hikes begin at the Northwest Beach parking lot.
• Twilight hikes explore the DeLaurier Trail, with the chance to view the courtship display of the American Woodcock.

All hikes require pre-registration

• Cost: $35/person
• Space is limited
• Register for a birding hike now!