Creston Valley Bird Festival

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 explore and deepen your appreciation for the great outdoors with presentations, hikes, field trips, and tours with our expert bird guides.

The Creston Valley Bird Festival operates on the unceded lands of the Ktunaxa. We acknowledge these Indigenous Nations and honor their past, present and future stewardship of these lands and waters.

Next Bird Festival is May 7-10, 2027!

MAKE A DONATION TO THE BIRD FESTIVAL HERE

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2026 FESTIVAL SUMMARY

Mid-May is such a prime time in the Creston Valley to celebrate our migrating birds with our valley being one of the best birding hotspots in western Canada. This is what attracted 274 attendees from near and far for some memorable sightings and photos at the annual Creston Valley Bird Festival May 8-11th. And Creston did not disappoint!

Not only was the weather beautiful for being in the great outdoors, but a rare species
decided to arrive on our farmlands. A total of 145 species were recorded throughout the weekend with the most exciting being 26 rare White-faced Ibises! With a statuesque height of almost 2 feet, these birds were undoubtedly the highlight species for many eager birders hoping to get a glimpse. Glossy iridescent green and brown overall with a red iris and red legs, they show a white border around a reddish face.

Some of the festival participants were also treated to an unusual sight as four American Bitterns, who are typically solitary and hidden deep within the marsh reeds, emerged to put on a flying show! Even the elusive Sora Rail made an appearance into the open for some photographs!

At the opening banquet, Dr. Julia Zarankin, a best-selling author from Toronto who was sponsored by Zeiss Optics, gave an engaging and enthusiastic presentation on “How Birding Makes Us Better People”! The practice of birdwatching is not just about seeing as many birds as possible but it can teach us how to live a good life, feel more present, help with our cognitive health, and encourages us to see the world with more nuance, wonder, and empathy.

Festival Coordinator, Ulrike Sliworsky, would like to thank all the sponsors, those who travelled to attend, our local bird lovers, and the hardworking committee members and volunteers whose passion and
effort make the festival a Creston highlight every year. And a special thanks to the incredible bird experts who generously shared their knowledge of our feathered friends!