Festival of Birds cancelled in Point Pelee because of COVID-19

The Festival of Birds, an annual bird watching festival in Point Pelee, will not be going ahead this year because of the COVID-19 pandemicbut birders may still have a way to enjoy the migration.

"We usually call it the three week wonder where it is gangbusters for three weeks of people always at the door always in the store," Jeff Dorrell, manager of the Pelee Wings Nature store, said.

"So not having that of course it's going to be pretty impactful."

The festival, which was scheduled to take place between May 1st and 18th, draws thousands to Point Pelee from all over the world, but travel to the area will likely be muted this year. Parks Canada is encouraging people to stay home and has closed Point Pelee National Parkbecause of COVID-19.

"It's huge. It's the biggest time of the year, I'd think," Dorrell said.

"All the hotels are booked up for months before hand, all the B&Bs are booked and of course restaurants would totally benefit from that."

Dorrell closed his store in the wake of the pandemic and will likely cancel its optics expo which usually takes place at the same time as the festival.

Normally, the money he brings in at this time of year would account for about 30 percent of Dorrell'ssales.

"Even if they didn't know about Pelee Wings, they're driving to Point Pelee, stop by and go 'hey yeah, I wouldn't mind a pair of binocularsor grab a kayak and go into Point Pelee and that sort of thing," Dorrell said.

This is a chance to find some new undiscovered areas and have some fun doing it.- Paul Pratt

This year he's trying to make up for it partly with online sales.

"We're getting creative," he said, "[We're]getting the social media out there with ideas of what to buy and that we're still here to help people." .

Dorelldid however say that he believes some will still come to see the show - but not many.

"I would think that there are some diehard birders out there that are going to hit it regardless," he said.

Other ways to bird

Paul Pratt, president of the Essex County field naturalists club, said that even if there isn't a festival, now is a good time to put together a yard list.

"See how many species you can find in your own back yard," he said.

He said some groups of birders have started fivemile radius birding - meaning birders would only seek out birds within fivemiles of their home. He said he'd encourage people to explore new areas around where they live.

"This is a chance to find some new undiscovered areas and have some fun doing it," he said.