Details unveiled for Headlands Birding Festival - The News-Herald
Published by: The News-Herald
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The 2025 Headlands Birding Festival will take place Sept. 19–21 at Headlands Beach State Park and other select locations.
The event celebrates the fall migration of bird species traveling to their wintering grounds, some as far away as South America, according to a news release.
The Headlands and Mentor Marsh region hosts some of the highest diversity and volume of migratory birds in the state, with 352 species documented in Lake County. This event welcomes birders and nature enthusiasts of all ages and experience levels, the release stated.
A welcome reception will be held on the evening of Sept. 19 at the Springbrook Gardenhouse, featuring keynote speaker Julie Zickefoose, a naturalist, writer, and artist from Ohio’s Appalachian foothills. Northeast Ohio wineries will offer wine samples and bottles for purchase.
On Sept. 20, activities include a birding boat trip along the Lake Erie coast and guided bird walks at Headlands, Lake Erie Bluffs, Mentor Marsh State Nature Preserve, Mentor Lagoons, Chagrin River Park, and other locations.
Afternoon expert presentations will cover topics such as bird identification, habitat restoration, and the use of technology in birding. Nature-themed vendors, nonprofits, and food trucks will be on-site at Headlands from noon to 4 p.m.
The event will conclude on the morning of Sept. 21 with a bird banding demonstration, a flight watch at Lake Erie Bluffs, and additional activities.
The Headlands Birding Festival is hosted by Headlands Beach State Park, Tour Lake County, Lake Metroparks, City of Mentor, Blackbrook Audubon Society, The Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Friends of Headlands Beach State Park, and Ohio Division of Natural Areas and Preserves.
Visit www.headlandsbirdingfestival.com for more information or to register.