Spring migration is here, so get ready to dust off those binoculars and birding books.
Now in its 13th year, the annual Creston Valley Bird Festival will celebrate the return of thousands of feathered friends.
With over 300 bird species spotted here, the community has become a prime birding destination. In recognition of its importance, BirdLife International designated the Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area (CVWMA) as a nationally significant bird area in 2002, noting its role in supporting more than 100,000 birds during migration. Within CVWMA, the 1,500-hectare Duck Lake serves as a critical stopover for tundra swans, greater white-fronted geese, and a wide variety of waterfowl.
Each year, over 200 participants participate in the festival, with many visiting from around Western Canada and the U.S.
Registration opened April 1 to over 40 events highlighting the wildlife, art, and agriculture of Creston.
This year, 20 expert-led bird-watching tours will hit the most popular trails and sites such as Duck Lake, the Kootenay River farmlands, and Corn Creek Marsh. Whether by foot, kayak, or car, birders have a chance to see great blue herons, sandhill cranes, bluebirds, woodpeckers, grebes, numerous birds of prey, and more interesting surprises. Early registration is recommended, as tour groups are kept small to ensure a quality outing.
Some other highlights of the festival include guided canoe trips at Kootenay-Columbia Discovery Centre, a wildflower hike up Balancing Rock Trail, a photography workshop with award-winning Lindsay Donald, and a night of stargazing.
And don't worry, for those not interested in birds, there's also tours of Kootenay Meadows Dairy, Swan Valley Honey, Baillie-Grohman Winery, and Sternwheeler Craft Distillery. And on May 11, celebrate Mother's Day with brunch, a walk down Songbird Trail, and a macrame workshop.
See a full list of events and register online at crestonvalleybirds.ca. And don't wait too long, as some events have already sold out.
