Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory's Spring Birding Festival 2026: Shared Skies, Shared Stories

Some highlights from the festival program include:

● New this year: three offsite experiences designed to make the festival more accessible for those unable to travel to Prince Edward Point:
o Spring Birding Festival 2026 Kick-Off Talk with The Narwhal’s Ontario Bureau
Chief, Elaine Anselmi, Thursday, May 7 at 7pm at the Picton Library; Free
o Sit Spot & Birding by Ear Experience on Saturday, May 9th, 10am in Delhi Park,
Picton, By donation; Registration is required
o Guided Bird Walk at Slab Creek on the Millennium Trail; Registration is required

● Spring Birding Festival 2026 keynote presentation, “Science of the Anishinaabek”
with Joseph Pitawanakwat, Junaid Shahzad Khan and Andrés Jiménez Monge, a
trio dedicated to teaching and sharing Indigenous bird knowledge, Friday, May 8th, 10am at Prince Edward Point. All are welcome!
● 3rd annual Spring Birding Festival Youth Day, Friday, May 8th ~ 90 students from local high schools will travel by bus Prince Edward Point for a day of experiential learning focused on bird research and habitat conservation. Students will enjoy the keynote presentation, followed by bird banding demonstrations by PEPtBO’s staff, a guided bird walk, and a screening of a conservation documentary entitled "Saving the Night Caller". We are excited to welcome students for a day of learning and nature connection.

● Guided bird walks will take place Friday through Sunday; Registration is required
● Bird banding demonstrations will take place Friday through Sunday; Free
● Engaging, advocacy-forward presentations (e.g., Chimney Swifts SOS, Supporting
Wildlife with Native Plantings, and Photography in Service of Nature) and an interactive
Warbler ID workshop
● Activities for kids and youth (e.g. story time, crafts, and games)
● An all-ages guided bird walk for families in honour of Mother’s Day on Sunday, May 10th
● “Bird Felting for Families” - a family friendly workshop with Lesley Snyder co-presented by County Arts and Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory on Sunday, May 10th
● Kaleidoscope Catering will be onsite serving yummy food and bird-friendly coffee each day

The guided bird walks, led by experienced guides, are not to be missed. Whether a specialized bird photography walk, an accessible sit spot & birding by ear experience in Delhi Park in Picton, or a family walk in honour of Mother’s Day, there is something for everyone. Most of the walks are two hours in length and are limited to 15 participants.

Visitors can also observe bird banding demonstrations and learn why this process is crucial to bird and habitat conservation. There is a great lineup of talks, as well as a Warbler ID workshop.Talks are free of charge and all are welcome. In addition, County Arts and PEPtBO present a Bird Felting for Families workshop on Sunday, May 10th, 1pm-3:30pm at the County Arts Lab. For more information, please contact: Sarah at sarah@countyarts.ca