Early May at Point Pelee National Park is pure migration magic. This 4-day, 3-night spring birding escape places you right at the heart of one of North America’s greatest birding spectacles, where thousands of migrants pour in after crossing Lake Erie and often feed at eye level.
Expect vivid warblers like Prothonotary, Cerulean, Hooded & Blackburnian Warblers (Rick’s Fav), along with tanagers, vireos, thrushes, and the ever-present possibility of the unexpected. Thoughtfully paced days blend peak-hour birding with time to rest and recharge, while special experiences — including an evening American Woodcock display — add unforgettable moments beyond the checklist. This is spring migration done right: relaxed, immersive, and full of those “how is this even real?” moments you’ll be talking about long after the birds have moved on.
Stats
Duration: 4 Days / 3 Nights
Start & End Point:Leamington, Ontario
Fitness Level: Moderate
Accommodation:Hotel
Group Size: Intimate (Max 10 Guests)
Guided By:Rick Szabo
The Birding With Rick Experience
Point Pelee isn’t just good birding — it’s story-worthy birding.
This narrow finger of land stretching into Lake Erie becomes a natural landing pad for thousands of migrating birds each spring. When conditions line up, warblers drip from the trees, birds feed at eye level, and even seasoned birders find themselves laughing out loud at how unreal it feels.
This tour is designed to capture that magic without rushing it — blending peak migration birding with time to rest, recharge, and actually enjoy what we’re seeing.
Day 1 — Thursday, May 14
Arrival, Orientation & Welcome Dinner (Leamington)
Guests arrive in Leamington during the afternoon and get settled. In the early evening, we’ll gather for a relaxed welcome dinner — a chance to meet your fellow birders, share birding stories, and set the tone for the days ahead.
We’ll cover:
What’s moving through Point Pelee right now
How weather and wind shape migration days
What makes spring warbler birding easier (and more fun) than you think
No pressure. No quizzes. Just getting excited for what’s coming.
Overnight: Leamington
Day 2 — Friday, May 15
Point Pelee Magic + Woodcock Evening Display
We’ll start early and head straight into Point Pelee National Park, often beginning at the famous Tip. After crossing Lake Erie overnight, migrants can arrive exhausted and hungry — which means birds feeding low, close, and often unconcerned with us.
This is the kind of day where you might watch:
Prothonotary Warbler glowing gold near wet woods
Hooded Warbler popping in and out of shadowed understory
Cerulean Warbler singing high above in fresh sky-blue plumage
Blackburnian, Bay-breasted, Cape May, and Magnolia Warblers all in the same morning
As the day unfolds, we’ll work our way through forest trails, edge habitat, and marsh boardwalks — always adjusting to where the birds want to be.
In the afternoon, we’ll expand beyond the park to nearby hotspots like Hillman Marsh Conservation Area, an excellent location for shorebirds, waterfowl, and raptors moving north.
After Dinner: American Woodcock Display
After dinner, we’ll head out for one of spring’s most memorable natural spectacles — the American Woodcock display.
At dusk, we’ll watch and listen as males perform their strange, beautiful courtship flight: nasal “peent” calls from open fields followed by spiraling ascents into the darkening sky. It’s weird. It’s wonderful. And it’s the kind of moment people talk about long after the trip ends.
Overnight: Leamington
Day 3 — Saturday, May 16
Peak Migration Morning + Intentional Rest
Saturday morning is all about momentum. We’ll return to Point Pelee early, revisiting areas that were productive — or following fresh overnight arrivals.
This is prime time for:
Mixed warbler flocks moving through eye-level foliage
Flycatchers, vireos, and thrushes appearing seemingly out of nowhere
Unexpected visitors — because at Pelee, anything can show up
Late morning, we’ll wrap up our field session and head back to Leamington.
Afternoon: Rest, Recharge, Reset
Birding at Point Pelee can be exhilarating — and surprisingly intense. Saturday afternoon is intentionally left open for rest and recovery:
A nap
A walk along the water
Reviewing photos
Or simply doing nothing at all
This pause keeps energy high and eyes sharp for the remainder of the tour.
In the late afternoon or early evening, we may head out again locally if conditions are right — or simply enjoy a relaxed dinner together, letting the day breathe.
Overnight: Leamington
Day 4 — Sunday, May 17
Final Morning & Farewell Lunch
We’ll enjoy one last focused morning of birding, following overnight reports and revisiting favorite locations for a final dose of migration magic.
Late morning, we’ll wrap up the tour with a farewell lunch, sharing highlights, lifers, and the moments that made this weekend special — from glowing warblers to spiraling woodcocks.
Tour concludes after lunch.
Why Point Pelee with Birding With Rick
Spring migration at its most vivid and accessible
Dozens of warblers often visible at eye level
A relaxed, guest-focused pace that values experience over exhaustion
Space to slow down, absorb it all, and actually enjoy the birds
Point Pelee regularly delivers 80–100+ species in a day, but what people remember most isn’t the number — it’s that moment when a Prothonotary Warbler lights up the woods, or when birds seem to rain out of the sky.
That’s what we’re here for.
Includes
All Accommodations, All Meals, Non-Alcoholic Beverages, Transportation, Park Entrance Fees.
Does Not Include:
Travel to/from Leamington, Travel Insurance, Alcoholic beverages, Personal Items.
Dates & Cost
Upcoming Retreat Dates
May 7 - 10
May 14 - 17
Pricing
Shared Room: $1,750 per person
Private Room: $2,250 per person
Deposit to Reserve: $500 per person