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 2023 Festival of Birds from May 1 to May 22. We’re happy to welcome you back!

  • Learn about Savannah restoration and how it benefits birds
  • Purchase exclusive Festival merchandise featuring the Yellow-breasted Chat
  • 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

Programs

Spotlight on…

Piping Plover

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 of events for the programs that are available during your visit.

Wildflower Walks

Bee resting on purple wildflowers

Give your neck a break by looking down instead of up! Learn about the beautiful wildflowers that bloom in May, as well as other plants that might not normally catch your eye. Join Park Ecologist, Tammy Dobbie, for a 1.5-hour walk introducing you to some of the special plants found at Point Pelee.

May 3, 15, 18 and 20, 1:00 pm

Meet at the Visitor Centre

Included with park admission.

Registration required

Birding with Pride

Blue Jay

Join your hosts, the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) for an open house and birding hikes. Enjoy refreshments and learn about OFO and join experience birders for a morning or early afternoon walk. This walk is a celebration of the LGBTQ2S+ community, but all members of the birding community are welcome.

May 6 – 9:30 am to 2 pm

Hikes – 10 am and 1 pm

Northwest Beach Pavillion

No registration required.

Art Workshops

The World in a Teaspoon with Nathalie Dubois

In this exploratory workshop, discover the worlds that live in our region’s water. Using digital microscopes, artist Nathalie Dubois will teach you how to transform digital microscopic images into flowing, abstract drawings.

May 4, 2023, 2:00 pm, Visitor Centre Classroom

Included with park admission.

Registration required

The Art of Cabbage with Nathalie Dubois

Did you know that cabbages are like chameleons? They can change colours according to acidity! Artist Nathalie Dubois will show you how to use cabbage mixed with different liquids to create eco-friendly paints and dyes. You’ll even get to taste some of the concoctions! Recipe results can vary, but do expect bright and bold palettes!

May 5, 2023, 2:00 pm, Visitor Centre Classroom

Included with admission.

Registration required

Ecosystem Illustration

Explore the ecosystems and natural habitats of Point Pelee through illustration! Join artist Maria Mediratta for a brief nature walk and learn how to make works of art documenting our environment. The workshop is all ages and will offer techniques and challenges for a range of artists and interests.

May 19, 2023, 2:00 pm, Visitor Centre Classroom

Included with park admission.

Registration required

Nature sketching made easy with Dante Bresolin

Guided by local artist and scientist Dante Bresolin, this workshop takes a hands-on approach to sketching birds and plants as you see them. Through observation, you’ll learn to recognize the shapes that make up different plants and animals and put it all together with lines to begin your nature sketch. Work on your field notes and IDs while you take the time to practice sketching. You'll be introduced to tips for drawing from reference and refining your work. Some drawing materials will be provided.

May 21, 2023, 1:00 pm, Visitor Centre Classroom

Included with park admission.

Registration required

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