2026 Wings, Waves & Woods Festival

Wed, May 13 – Sun, May 17, 2026

Schedule and Sign-Up Open Now

All Birders and Nature Lovers Welcome!

Island Heritage Trust’s Annual Wings, Waves, & Woods Festival is a volunteer-run, non-profit event that makes birding accessible to all. The Festival offers a mix of activities surrounding birding, boating, nature, history, and creativity. The popular boat trip to Seal Island offers sightings of Atlantic Puffins, Razorbills, Northern Gannets, and others. Up to two dozen species of warblers can be seen on the various guided walks on Island Heritage Trust’s preserves, as well as shorebirds nesting and breeding along our extensive shoreline. Attend just one activity, or enjoy an entire weekend experiencing the vibrant lands and working waterfront of Deer Isle – Stonington, Maine.

  • A moody shot of the Aragosta Cove, showing tree covered land surrounded by gray ocean.
  • A person smiles while looking through bright yellow binoculars in sunny downtown Stonington, while another person wearing binoculars and sunglasses looks on warmly.
  • People gathered talking and laughing around warmly lit tables at the Stonington Opera House during the 2025 Wings, Waves and Woods Festival.
  • A bald eagle in a nest on top of a tree, taken during the Wings, Waves and Woods 2025 festival.
  • A group of people gather around a speaker giving a talk in the sunny 44 North cafe during Wings Waves and Woods 2025.

Photos: Capshore Photography, 2025

Explore the Event Schedule 

Choose which events you would like to be a part of! Don’t miss the “Other Local Happenings” section at the end of the schedule.

All events are subject to change. Please stay tuned to this webpage for updates.

Sign-up and make your contribution

This is a volunteer-run, non-profit event. Please donate a minimum of $5 per Walk & Talk that you attend.

Make a minimum donation of $45 and receive a Wings, Waves & Woods Cap or a Reusable Tote Bag!

Thank You to Our Festival Sponsors!

Thank You to Our Festival Supporters!

IHT Refund Policy on Boat Trips:

  • If canceled in advance (2 weeks of more) – full refund.
  • If cancelation occurs less than 2 weeks from event, if there is a waiting list and someone takes their spot – full refund.
  • If cancelation occurs less than 2 weeks from the event and there is no one to take their place (no waiting list) – partial or no refund (might depend on situation)