Headlands Birding Festival

Headlands Birding Festival The Headlands Birding Festival is an annual event that celebrates fall migration.

Remember to visit our stationary guides this weekend! We have a great group of guides that will be pointing out birds an...
09/18/2026

Remember to visit our stationary guides this weekend! We have a great group of guides that will be pointing out birds and hanging out at some great hotspots around the Headlands area. Guides are at their stations from 7 am - 1 pm both Saturday and Sunday. Best thing is you don’t need a registration to bird with our stationary guides. It is a free event we are happy to share with the public. See locations below!

🐦Mentor Marsh Wake Robin Boardwalk
🐦Mentor Lagoons Nature Preserve
🐦Headlands Beach State Park - Western Wetland
🐦Headlands Dunes State Nature Preserve - Western Wire

Headlands Birding Festival Bird Forecast:Saturday: Overnight, northeast winds shifting east will allow for good numbers ...
09/18/2026

Headlands Birding Festival Bird Forecast:

Saturday: Overnight, northeast winds shifting east will allow for good numbers of migrating birds, but east winds after midnight will result in less favorable conditions, so birds will stop over in greater numbers. Overcast skies and potential rain will cause birds to move lower and give better views. If it rains at dawn, there is potential for high numbers of migrants concentrated in certain areas like Headlands Beach State Park or Chagrin River Park.

Sunday: Less than favorable conditions overnight will result in a smaller number of birds migrating, and more birds that came Friday night will stick around. Moderate wind and potential storms can create conditions favorable for lakewatching, and rarities such as jaegers are possible if winds are strong enough. Storms have the potential to cause rarities to land, especially at Headlands Beach State Park, and very large numbers of gulls will likely take shelter on the beach Sunday.

This forecast may change as the weather forecast changes.

FREE Early Bird Coffee ☕Heading out for an early walk? Get a fresh cup of coffee to fuel up before you go birding!Locate...
09/17/2026

FREE Early Bird Coffee ☕
Heading out for an early walk? Get a fresh cup of coffee to fuel up before you go birding!
Located near the registration table at Headlands Beach State Park 7am-11am Saturday, September 19th curtesy of Ohio Backwoods and Ohio Backwoods Coffee of Zanesville.
Bring your own tumbler or cups will be available, donations kindly accepted and benefit Friends of Headlands Beach State Park!

What is the weather policy for Headlands Birding Festival?The festival goes on rain or shine as long as there is no seve...
09/17/2026

What is the weather policy for Headlands Birding Festival?

The festival goes on rain or shine as long as there is no severe weather (i.e., lightning, high winds, severe thunderstorms). The festival will reopen once severe weather is out of the area. If we do encounter severe weather, registration will move to the inside of Springbrook Garden Park on Friday, or the Headlands pavilion on Saturday or Sunday until the weather passes.

Walks will be postponed or cancelled if there is severe weather. Keep an eye out on your weather apps. Stationary guides will leave their posts if there is severe weather in the area.

Don’t forget that we have several free events this weekend to check out! These do not require a festival registration to...
09/16/2026

Don’t forget that we have several free events this weekend to check out! These do not require a festival registration to attend.

🐦Stationary Guides - 7 am - 1 pm - Saturday and Sunday
🐦Blackbrook Audubon Big Sit - Saturday September 19 - 8 am - 12 pm
🐦Special Access Searching for Fall Migrants Behind Locked Gates Saturday September 19 12 pm - 3 pm
🐦Mentor Marsh Nature Center Extended Hours - 10 am - 5 pm - Saturday and Sunday
🐦International Observe the Moon Night - Saturday September 19 - 8 pm - 10 pm
🐦Kids Scavenger Hunt - Saturday and Sunday
🐦Vendor Area - Saturday and Sunday 11 am - 3 pm

See link below for more details on the schedule of events!

https://friendsofheadlandsbeach.org/headlands-birding-festival-2026-schedule/


Headlands Birding Festival: Bird Photo Contest Are you a photographer? Share your best bird photos taken during the fest...
09/16/2026

Headlands Birding Festival: Bird Photo Contest
Are you a photographer? Share your best bird photos taken during the festival!
Contest categories:
📸Best overall photo
📸Best bird in habitat photo
📸Funniest bird photo
📸Top calendar photos
Contestant winners will receive amazing prizes like a festival T-shirt, social media recognition, feature on the website, festival promotion, PLUS 13 winners will get a special Headlands Birding Festival calendar made from your photos!
Submission and participation dates: Friday, September 18th- Friday, September 25th (open to festival registrants only)

Learn more: https://friendsofheadlandsbeach.org/headlands-birding-festival-photo-contest/

!!!!!!!VENDOR LINEUP!!!!!!!The final lineup of wonderful returning and new vendors, non-profit organizations and food/dr...
09/15/2026

!!!!!!!VENDOR LINEUP!!!!!!!
The final lineup of wonderful returning and new vendors, non-profit organizations and food/drink trucks. With just over 45 vendors, the 2026 Headlands Birding Festival is the biggest and best yet. Stop by to shop/ grab a bite to eat after a morning full of birding, whether you signed up for the festival or not everyone is welcome! We're excited to have such a fantastic lineup, we can’t wait for everyone to explore and discover all the amazing things our vendors have to offer.
SATURDAY & SUNDAY, September 19th-20th 11am-3pm at Headlands Beach State Park, parking lots 1&2
(not all vendors will be there both days)

FOOD 🌮🍕 DRINKS 🍋🥃TREATS🍫🍪Everyone get ready for an amazing food truck line-up:Celestial Treats CLE The Limonada Bar LLC ...
09/14/2026

FOOD 🌮🍕 DRINKS 🍋🥃TREATS🍫🍪
Everyone get ready for an amazing food truck line-up:
Celestial Treats CLE
The Limonada Bar LLC
Barra De Taco
Señor Masa
Nothing Bundt Cakes
Liquid Hype Beverage Co

Come and enjoy food, drinks, and dessert while you shop or take a short break from birding for lunch. SAT & SUN SEPTEMBER 19th-20th 11am-3pm at Headlands Beach State Park parking lots 1 & 2.

VENDOR HIGHLIGHT:Here are the last but not least final vendors that will be joining us for the 3rd annual Headlands Bird...
09/13/2026

VENDOR HIGHLIGHT:
Here are the last but not least final vendors that will be joining us for the 3rd annual Headlands Birding Festival!
Lake Metroparks
Mentor Tree Commission
Lake County Master Gardener Volunteers
Lakewood Art League
FIRST Tech Challenge team 8120 Electric Hornets

Don't miss your chance to learn more about these awesome organizations on Saturday AND Sunday 11am-3pm at Headlands Beach State Park!

Address

9601 Headlands Road
Mentor, OH
44060

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