Festival of Birds

Point Pelee National Park

The Friends of Point Pelee and Point Pelee National Park invite you to celebrate spring migration at the 2022 Festival of Birds from April 30 to May 23. We’re happy to welcome you back!

The 2022 Festival of Birds highlights the wonders of the marsh with special programs and our bird of the year, the Green Heron.

  • Learn about the Marsh Restoration project and how it will benefit birds
  • Complete the 100 Species Challenge and earn the limited edition Least Bittern pin

Birding Hikes

Two people birdwatching, both holding binoculars
  • 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 and.
  • Twilight hikes explore the DeLaurier Trail, with the chance to view the courtship display of the American Woodcock.

Cost: $35.00/person, 12 people/hike

All hikes require pre-registration. Register at www.festivalofbirds.ca or call 519.326.6173 or 1.888.707.3533. Space is limited.

Hikes are administered by the Friends of Point Pelee and weekend hikes are generously supported by Quest Nature Tours.

Spotlight on…

At noon, join us in the Visitor Centre theatre, where our experts will spotlight special topics each day. The sessions will focus on various topics, from birding basics to bird song identification to restoration work in the park.

See the calendar for the programs that are available during your visit.

Birder Breakfast

April 30 – May 23, Daily 7 am to 12 pm, South side of the Visitor Centre

The Friends of Point Pelee Volunteers wake up at the crack of dawn to provide daily food service for our guests that flock to rest and snack at the Visitor’s Centre throughout the Festival of Birds. Proceeds support the Friends of Point Pelee and Point Pelee National Park

Breakfast offers a continental style selection of hot and cold beverages and locally made “Birdseed” cookies and donuts are baked fresh and delivered each morning!

*Please note that lunch will not be served this year.

100 Species Challenge

Least Bittern
Least Bittern

Can you find 100 species during your visit to Point Pelee? You can earn the exclusive 100 species pin, featuring the Least Bittern!

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. Identification of species can be made visually or by ear. All participants must follow proper birding ethics.

Avian Influenza (H5N1) 2022

This year, Canada has seen outbreaks of a highly infectious strain of avian influenza, a naturally occurring virus that affects wild and domestic birds. There has been a confirmed case of this virus in Point Pelee National Park. While it remains safe to visit the park, Parks Canada asks visitors to take the following precautions:


When visiting Point Pelee National Park

  • Never approach or handle wildlife in the park, including sick, injured or dead birds.
  • Never allow your pet to approach wildlife, including sick, injured or dead birds.
  • If you see sick, injured or deceased wildlife in Point Pelee National Park, call 1 877-852-3100 or let a staff member know.
  • Never feed wild birds from your hand or try to lure birds with food or seeds.
  • Clean all clothing and footwear before coming to the park
  • Clean/disinfect footwear before leaving the park, particularly if you raise fowl or have pet birds at home.

While at home or outside the park

  • Regularly clean indoor and outdoor bird houses, bird feeders and bird baths using a weak solution of domestic bleach (10% sodium hypochlorite), and ensure they are well rinsed and dried before re-use.
  • Remove bird feeders from areas that are open to poultry and other domestic animals.
  • Limit any travel to farms which house fowl (chickens, turkeys, ducks, etc).
  • If you encounter a sick or dead wild bird outside the park, contact the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative at 866-673-4781 or report online at cwhc.wildlifesubmissions.org.

Diseases such as avian influenza are naturally occurring in wildlife populations and past outbreaks eventually declined as populations of wild birds built immunity. Parks Canada will continue to follow all health precautions and work with Environment and Climate Change Canada, and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to monitor the situation.

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