Mentor Nature: City of Mentor Natural Resources

09/14/2026

🐛🐛🐛🐛With colder weather just around the corner, the moth and butterfly caterpillars have been out and about. Some moths and butterflies overwinter as caterpillars before entering their final form as the weather warms in 2027. We are wishing them good luck!

Upcoming Programs (registration link in bio)
🦅Headlands Birding Festival: 9/18-20, more information and registration at https://friendsofheadlandsbeach.org/birding-festival-home/
🐦‍⬛Departure of the Birds: Wednesday 9/23, 8-10am, Lagoons, FREE
🎣Little Anglers: Sunday 9/27, 1-3pm, Springbrook

09/11/2026

See everyone in a week!

🎉 ONE WEEK TO GO! 🎉

The Headlands Birding Festival is just ONE WEEK away, and we can hardly wait to welcome you to the shores of Lake Erie for an amazing weekend of birds, birding, nature, and fun! 🐦🌊🍂

Here’s where you’ll find our Registration & Information Table throughout the festival. Stop by to pick up your festival badge, swag bag, and any festival T-shirts you previously purchased online!

📍 FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 | 3–9 PM
Springbrook Gardens Park
Outside the Springbrook Gardenhouse, where our keynote address will take place.

📍 SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19 | 7 AM–6 PM
Headlands Beach State Park
Eastern end of the park, near Parking Lot 1

📍 SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 20 | 7 AM–3 PM
Headlands Beach State Park
Eastern end of the park, near Parking Lot 1
The table will remain open until the closing ceremony at 3 PM.

Whether you’re joining us for a bird walk, workshop, keynote, social activity, or simply spending the weekend enjoying the incredible migration along Lake Erie, we’re SO excited to see you! 🐦❤️

ONE WEEK!!! See you at Headlands!🎉🦅🌿

09/10/2026

The bird banding station will be OPEN to the public tomorrow (Friday 9/11) from 7-10:30am! To attend, park in the red brick Mentor Lagoons parking lot. Follow the signs on the trail from the parking lot almost all the way to the lake. Head off trail where the sign directs you and look for a table. If we aren’t there, we will be back soon!
This event can be cancelled due to rain, wind, or cold. Please keep an eye on our page the morning you plan to attend for closure notifications.

Upcoming Programs (registration link in bio)
🐦‍⬛Bird Banding Demonstration: Saturday 9/12, 8-10:30am, Lagoons, FREE
🥾Wild Wanderers Hiking Club: second Sundays September-December, 4-5pm
🦅Headlands Birding Festival: 9/18-20, more information and registration at https://friendsofheadlandsbeach.org/birding-festival-home/

All birds are banded under permits from the USGS and Ohio Division of Wildlife by trained professionals and released safely.

09/09/2026

We have a lot of great events that the public can attend during the Headlands Birding Festival next weekend. One of those is the first ever dinner and social event at the Lyric Bistro in Fairport Harbor on Saturday Sept. 19th! We're calling it Birds, Bistro, and Brews. Come out to socialize and have dinner with nature lovers from all over Ohio and neighboring states. The movie "Ohio, Wild at Heart," will be played starting at 6:15pm. The doors open for food and brews at 5:00pm. $20 at the door. Or you can register now at headlandsbirdingfestival.com

09/07/2026

There is a little less than a week left before our Wild Wanderers Hiking Club begins. Hikes will take place on the second Sunday of each month from 4-5pm for the months of September to December. We will be visiting Penitentiary Glen, Chapin Forest, Morton Park, and Veterans Park. You can register at the link in our bio or by calling 440-974-5720. The $5 fee includes all hikes and some freebies.

09/06/2026

Today is World Shorebirds Day! Many shorebirds are currently migrating through Ohio to their winter homes. Want to search for shorebirds? Try Headlands Beach or Dunes, Mentor Lagoons, Wake Robin Boardwalk, Shipman Pond, or anywhere in Mentor Marsh.

Upcoming Programs (registration link in bio)
🐦‍⬛Bird Banding Demonstration: Saturday 9/12, 8-10:30am, Lagoons, FREE
🥾Wild Wanderers Hiking Club: second Sundays September-December, 4-5pm
🦅Headlands Birding Festival: 9/18-20, more information and registration at https://friendsofheadlandsbeach.org/birding-festival-home/

09/05/2026

Today is National Hummingbird Day! It is also 1 week until your only chance to see bird banding on a weekend this fall. If you can’t typically make it to our open houses on Fridays, register for the Migratory Bird Banding program on Saturday 9/12 from 8-10:30am. FREE registration at the link in our bio or by calling 440-974-5720.
We do not band hummingbirds, but we still catch them sometimes. They are the smallest bird we catch!

Upcoming programs:
🐦‍⬛Bird Banding Demonstration: Saturday 9/12, 8-10:30am, Lagoons, FREE
🥾Wild Wanderers Hiking Club: second Sundays September-December, 4-5pm
🦅Headlands Birding Festival: 9/18-20, more information and registration at https://friendsofheadlandsbeach.org/birding-festival-home/

09/01/2026

Our first bird of the season was a least flycatcher! We had a very slow day today, but hopefully migration will pick up soon!

The City of Mentor Bird Banding Station (COMBS) is open to the public on most Fridays from 8-11:30am. Follow the signs on the trail from the parking lot of the Lagoons. More information is available in the events section on our Facebook.

Upcoming Programs (registration link in bio)
🚣‍♂️Fall Paddle: Wednesday 9/2, 4:36-6:30pm, Lagoons
🦋Monarch Migration: Sunday 9/6, 1-3pm, Springbrook, FREE
🐦‍⬛Bird Banding Demonstration: Saturday 9/12, 8-10:30am, Lagoons, FREE
Headlands Birding Festival: 9/18-20, more information and registration at https://friendsofheadlandsbeach.org/birding-festival-home/

All birds are banded under permits from the USGS and Ohio Division of Wildlife by trained professionals and released safely.

08/31/2026

Thank you so much to everyone who came to our sunset paddle on Friday!

If you missed it, you can join us this Wednesday 9/2 or at the end of September (30th) at 4:30pm for a fall paddle in the marsh!

Register by calling 440-974-5720 or online at https://cityofmentor.com/departments/parks-recreation/registration/