Important Event Information

Important Updates

As we prepare to enjoy all the winter weather that Niagara offers, keep in mind that if any official travel advisories are released in the Niagara Region, ALL EVENTS FOR THE DAY WILL BE CANCELLED. Cancellations will be posted on this webpage, our Facebook page, and emailed to registrants as soon as possible.

Important reminders for all participants:

Please make sure to drive safely and dress for the weather (including footwear!) and remember it’s always colder by the water. Any event that requires registration REQUIRES A WAIVER. Be kind to your walk leaders and bring your printed, signed waiver for them to collect! NFNC members only need to fill out one member waiver per year–please make sure you have paid your fee for 2026! Non-members must bring a non-member waiver to each individual event. Links to all waivers can be found below.

Event Participation Waivers

All participants in events taking place between February 13 – 16 are required to sign a participation waiver. If you are already a Niagara Falls Nature Club member and have filled out the annual waiver, you are already covered. All non-member participants MUST fill out a waiver for each event. Please take a few minutes to read carefully and then fill out the NFNC Release of Liability.

Members need only fill out the NFNC Release of Liability. If you are purchasing a Family Membership, each family member must fill out a form. If you have children who accompany you on outings or to meetings, please fill out an Addendum – Release of Liability for Minors for each child. These waivers only need to be filled out once each year. You can either sign them electronically and email them to niagarafallsnatureclub@gmail.com or print them, sign and bring them to the BON outing that you attend.

The Non-member waiver is for guests who will need to complete a form for each activity.

NFNC Release of Liability

NFNC Addendum-Release of Liability for Minors

NFNC Release of Liability for non members

Niagara Parks Parking Passes

Please note that a Niagara Parks Parking Pass may be required at some of the event locations. Parking passes can be purchased online in advance or onsite at any Niagara Parks parking lot.

Festival Events in Canada

North America’s only international bird festival is proud to announce the 9th Annual Birds on the Niagara, February 13-16, 2026.

Birds on the Niagara 2026 (BON26) will be held from Friday, February 13 through Monday February 16 and on Sunday, February 22.  North America’s only international birding festival, BON26 celebrates winter birds in the Niagara region with free walks, presentations, and family-friendly activities. Programs are scheduled throughout the weekend all across the Niagara River Corridor for all ages, abilities, and interests!

Birds on the Niagara is a not-for-profit event focused on collaborating with organizations, agencies, and individuals from both sides of the border and dedicated to promoting conservation and enjoyment of the Niagara River Globally Significant Important Bird Area and the Ramsar wetland of International Significance.

Friday February 13 – Festival Kicks Off

4:30pm – The festival kicks off with a short walk along the Lake Erie shore, starting at the parking lot on the Niagara Boulevard across from Old Fort Erie. Led by Jeremy Bensette, we will be looking for swans, ducks and gulls as we travel north along the Niagara River.

6:00 pm – Beers and Birds event at Brimstone Brewing in Ridgeway.  Jeremy Bensette, a professional birder and naturalist in the Point Pelee Birding Area will speak on his adventures in following Ontario birds.

 Register by email to niagarafallsnatureclub@gmail.com and select your dinner order from the Brimstone website.

Saturday February 14 – Bird Hikes

9.00am – Naturalists Marcie Jacklin and Jeremy Bensette will explore birds at Dufferin Island and the Niagara River above the Falls. This is a family-friendly, accessible location. A good variety of winter birds and ducks can be found here. Park in the last section of the parking lot. Remember to get a Niagara Parks pass before this event. An annual pass is a bargain https://www.niagaraparks.com/visit-niagara-parks/plan-your-visit/niagara-parks-annual-pass/.

1.00pm – Missy Acker, also a well-known Niagara birder and artist, will be at the Adam Beck Overlook.  She will have her telescope ready for better looks at the varied and unusual gulls that are often here.

Sunday February 15 – Birding Adventures

9:30am – Bob Highcock and Jean Hampson of the Peninsula Field Naturalists will lead a hike along the Lake Ontario Shoreline. Join us in our search for waterfowl, gulls and winter woodland bird species along the Lake Ontario shoreline and Niagara River.  Dress warmly and bring your binoculars.  Meet at Newark Park, 1501 Old Lakeshore Rd. in Niagara-on-the-Lake (Immediately south of Lakeshore Rd/Niagara Shores).  Walking and some driving involved. 

1:00pm – Marcie Jacklin and Jeremy Bensette team up again on Sunday for an afternoon of birding. Starting at the Adam Beck Overlook. Jeremy will give pointers and tips for digiscoping, a versatile technique that uses the camera on your cell phone to take pictures through a spotting scope! Free parking.

2:00 pm – Marcie and Jeremy will leave to visit some local hot spots.

4:30pm – Marcie and Jeremy will be at the Nelson Park in Niagara-on-the-Lake to watch the evening fly-by, where the gulls that have been on the river all day fly out to the lake to roost for the evening. There may be thousands of gulls flying by, and this is a great way to spot a Little gull! Free parking. Dress Warmly!

Monday February 16 – Family Day

10:00am – 4:00pm – There will be a Family Day Open House at the Niagara Glen Nature Centre, with lots of fun activities and nature display tables from various organizations. The feature event will be live birds of prey from the Canadian Raptor Conservancy. The Parkway Artist Guild will also present an Art Demonstration by Artist Missy Acker. Free parking.

Sunday February 22

12:00pm – 4:00pm – PAG Paint Battle at the Canadian Corps Unit 104, 4674 Ferguson Street, Niagara Falls. Come out to join or cheer on our exciting competition for live artists to paint birds and celebrate the Birds on the Niagara Festival. The event features 20 incredible artists who will go head-to-head in 3 rounds of live painting with the winners determined by audience vote. As a BON warming station, there will also be vendors and opportunities to buy a unique piece of art during the silent auction.