Our Mission: The Creston Valley Bird Festival exists to foster awareness of birds and their habitats in the Creston Valley.
Where the Birds Are: Celebrate the birds, art, and the agriculture of the Creston Valley.
Get ready to spread your wings and join us for an unforgettable celebration of feathered friends and the vital wetlands they call home during their annual migration north. The Creston Valley Bird Festival is an exciting event that takes place every second weekend in May, where you’ll get the chance to rub shoulders with bird experts – explore and deepen your appreciation for the great outdoors with presentations, hikes, field trips, and tours by canoe or kayak.
Next festival is May 9-11, 2025!
2024 FESTIVAL SCHEDULE
Introducing this year’s festival poster and artist: Eileen Gidman!
Eileen lives in Creston, BC. She completed formal training at the Emily Carr College of Art and Design. Watercolour painting is a passion of Eileen’s, and during the spring, summer, and fall she often will be seen painting on location throughout the Kootenays.
Her watercolour artwork and her painted textiles can be found locally at Creston Card and Stationery, the Cresteramics Gift Store, Brittany’s Flower Farm & Studio, and in Crawford Bay at the Firework’s Copper Enamel.
Website
Facebook
Instagram – Eileen Gidman
Where the Birds Are!
June 2, 2024
On May 15th, I observed a pair of beautiful LEWIS’S WOODPECKERS on Nick’s Island Road. The contrast between the glossy green back/head and red face/breast is striking!
It’s usually a migratory species across southern BC. Is it possible that this pair will breed here? Stay tuned!
May 26, 2024
A BLACK SWIFT was sighted at Leach Lake this week! This species is a very rare spring transient and is an unpredictable bird that is not regularly seen on our valley. It is usually flying very high but will forage low over the wetlands if certain insects are hatching (Linda Van Damme, 2020).
Although our valley has foraging opportunities for this this species, for breeding they need crevices on steep canyon walls near waterfalls. This makes it hard to find them!
They are the largest swift in North America. All dark with a broad tail that is often fanned.
See Where the Birds Are page for more!
Valleyview Motel
Call 250-428-2336 for a 10% discount on a room for the festival weekend!!
Scotties RV Park and Campground
Wings, Wildlife, and Wonder: Your Guide to the Creston Valley Bird Festival by Brian Lawrence
Creston Accommodations and Things To Do
