Printable Schedule
Thursday, May 9
"A Birder's Guide to Everything" Film
“A Birder’s Guide to Everything” (2013) may not be a rare find, but it’s surely a heartfelt sight for sore eyes nestled between perfectly hatched performances.
Movie info: On the eve of his father’s remarriage, a teenage birding enthusiast (Kodi Smit-McPhee) leads his friends on a road trip to find an extremely rare duck. Movie also stars Ben Kingsley.
Come to the library for a free movie with popcorn!
| Time | 7:00 pm, Thursday |
| Cost | FREE!! |
| Limit | 40 |
| Where | Creston Valley Public Library, 531-16th Ave S. (Map) |
| Note | Registration is not required for this event. |
Friday, May 10
Final Registration at the Rotacrest Hall
| Time | 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm, Friday |
| Where | Rotacrest Hall, 230B-19th Ave N (Map) |
Kayak the West Creston Channels - SOLD OUT
Please bring your own kayak or canoe. Rentals are also available from the Creston Valley Tour Co. with a 10% discount and free delivery!! 250-428-2336
Join Daryl and Dannie on Frenchman’s Slough for a peaceful paddle on quiet waters lined with tall cottonwoods and thick shrubbery. Ideal habitat for a variety of water and land birds including orioles, kingbirds, kingfishers, raptors, and ducks. If the water level in the channel is too low, the alternate tour will be driving Reclamation Road and walking up Dodge Creek Road.
| Tour leader | Daryl Calder, assisted by Maura Schadeli |
| Time | 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm, Friday |
| Difficulty | Easy kayaking in calm waters |
| Cost | $25 |
| Limit | 10 |
| Where | Frenchman's Slough in West Creston (Map) |
| Meet | Meet at West Creston Channels (Peterman Road and W. Creston Road intersection) |
| Note | Limited parking at launch but unlimited parking west side of Peterman Road |
Historical Walking Tour with Urban Birding - SOLD OUT
Interested in listening to some of Creston’s history while viewing the birdlife within our town? Join Tammy on an easy walk “south of the tracks”. Find out what settlers and pioneers are resting in Creston’s cemetery. Our feathery friends have a habit of showing up everywhere along the way including in local stories of our past.
| Tour leader | Tammy Bradford, Creston Museum Manager |
| Time | 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm, Friday |
| Difficulty | Easy walking (approx. 4 km) |
| Cost | $10 |
| Limit | 12 |
| Where | Meet at the Pavilion in Centennial Park (Map) |
Banquet with Presentations
A chance to meet new and old birding friends to discuss rare bird findings while enjoying locally produced beverages from Baillie-Grohman Estate Winery, Red Bird Winery, and Wild North Brewery.
The buffet dinner is served by Savour & Company Kitchen who also focus on using locally-sourced products grown in our valley.
Presentations to follow dinner by Tammy Bradford and Gary Davidson.
There will be some great door prizes!!
| Time | 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm, Friday |
| Cost | $45 |
| Limit | 100 |
| Where | Rotacrest Hall, 230B-19th Ave N (Map) |
| Note | Cash bar only |
Local History Goes To The Birds!!
Presentation by Tammy Bradford, Creston Museum
To celebrate Creston’s Centennial, this presentation will recognize the work of volunteer birders, biologists, and ornithologists that have collected bird data in our valley over the years. Learn about J.A. Munroe’s observations made starting from 1947 for the publication “The Birds and Mammals of the Creston Region” to the more recent work being done at the Creston Valley Wildlife Management area. Tammy will also share some of her amazing photography from her travels with her camera around the valley!
| Time | 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm, Friday |
| Cost | Included in banquet cost |
| Where | Rotacrest Hall, 230B-19th Ave N (Map) |
Birds of Kenya
Presentation by Gary Davidson
This presentation will feature some of the 546 species of birds seen during my 5-week trip to Kenya in October/November 2023. However, one can’t possibly go to Kenya and not have other outstanding wildlife experiences. In addition to the birds, you will see elephants, lions, cheetahs and an assortment of grazing mammals.
| Time | 8:00 pm - 9:00 pm, Friday |
| Cost | Included in banquet cost |
| Where | Rotacrest Hall, 230B-19th Ave N (Map) |
Saturday, May 11
Tours Meet: Free Continental Breakfast
Meet your birding tour leader at the Rotacrest Hall
Donations and locally sourced items from:
Lark Coffee, Sasquatch Coffee, Tigz Teas, Kootenay Meadows, the Golden Flour Bakery, Pealow’s Independent Grocer, and Save-On Foods will be available.
Please bring your own cup.
Tours will leave exactly at 6:30 am so don’t be late!!
| Time | 6:00 am - 6:30 am, Saturday |
| Where | Rotacrest Hall, 230B-19th Ave N (Map) |
Kayak the West Creston Channels
Please bring your own kayak or canoe. Rentals are also available from the Creston Valley Tour Co. with a 10% discount and free delivery!! 250-428-2336
Join Daryl on Frenchman’s Slough for a peaceful paddle on quiet waters lined with tall cottonwoods and thick shrubbery. Ideal habitat for a variety of water and land birds including orioles, kingbirds, kingfishers, raptors, and ducks. If the water level in the channel is too low, the alternate tour will be driving Reclamation Road and walking up Dodge Creek Road.
| Tour leader | Daryl Calder, assisted by Tim Raff |
| Time | 6:30 am - 10:30 am, Saturday |
| Difficulty | Easy kayaking in calm waters |
| Cost | $25 |
| Limit | 10 |
| Where | Frenchman’s Slough in West Creston (Map) |
| Meet | Meet at West Creston Channels (Peterman Road and W. Creston Road intersection) |
| Note | Limited parking at launch but unlimited parking west side of Peterman Road |
Birding by Car to Duck Lake
A variety of landscapes means a variety of birds. Join Ed and Hazel for a driving tour looking for birds beside mountain shrubbery, open farmland, a slow-moving channel, marshland, to the wide-open Duck Lake. Possible sightings of Lazuli Buntings, Raptors, Wood Ducks, Say’s Phoebes, Bullock’s Orioles, and Sandhill Cranes.
| Tour leader | Ed and Hazel Beynon |
| Time | 6:30 am - 10:30 am, Saturday |
| Difficulty | Easy – driving with numerous stops |
| Cost | $25 |
| Limit | 10 |
| Where | Road to Duck Lake (Map) |
| Meet | Rotacrest Hall, 230B-19th Ave N |
| Note | Carpooling is suggested. Please drive slow for no dust. |
Birding at Duck Lake
In 2002, the Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area was designated as a nationally Important Bird Area (IBA) because it regularly supports over 100,000 water birds during migration periods. Join Aiva, with Nature BC’s Provincial IBA program, to see how Duck Lake got its name!!
This 1,500 hectare lake is an important destination in the migration of Tundra Swans and Greater White-fronted Geese, and a vast array of waterfowl. Birdwatchers marvel at the 6 species of grebes, large numbers of Great-blue herons, the rare Forster’s Terns – which breed no where else in BC. During their spring migrations, thousands of waterfowl use the lake as a landing pad, stopping to rest and feed on their long journey. Walk the dyke along the south end to see what you can find! The festival weekend is always a great time of year for shorebirds!
| Tour leader | Aiva Noringseth |
| Time | 6:30 am - 10:30 am, Saturday |
| Difficulty | Easy walking |
| Cost | $25 |
| Limit | 10 |
| Meet | Rotacrest Hall 230B-19th Ave N |
Duck Lake and Beyond
Enjoy a leisurely walk with Julia starting at the bat houses on Channel Road towards Duck Lake. Listen for the spring songs of Bullock’s Orioles, Red-eyed Vireos, Western Wood-Peewees, Common Yellowthroats, and other songsters! Scan the agricultural fields for hunting Northern Harriers or foraging Sandhill Cranes. The cattail marshes on the south end of the lake is home to numerous waterfowl species and, if the water levels are low to expose the mudflats, it attracts some beautiful shorebirds such as Long-billed Dowitchers, Black-necked Stilts, American Avocets, Wilson’s Phalarope, and so much more!!
| Tour leader | Julia Flesaker |
| Time | 6:30 am - 10:30 am, Saturday |
| Difficulty | Easy walking |
| Cost | $25 |
| Limit | 10 |
| Meet | Rotacrest Hall 230B-19th Ave N |
Birding the Wildlife Area Trails
Exploring the dikes and trails through the expansive wetlands of Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area – Corn Creek Marsh. These trails are full of riparian-habitat songbirds, marsh birds and waterfowl. Your best chance at seeing a Sora!
| Tour leader | Jo Ellen Floer |
| Time | 6:30 am - 10:30 am, Saturday |
| Difficulty | Moderate walking, approx. 4km |
| Cost | $25 |
| Limit | 10 |
| Meet | Rotacrest Hall 230B-19th Ave N |
Birding the Wildlife Area Trails - Novice - SOLD OUT
Welcome to Birding! This trip is geared for anyone relatively new to birding. We’ll walk the paths around the Discovery Centre, with a focus on getting good looks at birds. We’ll answer your questions about binoculars, field guides, and good times and places to watch birds in the Kootenays. Families are welcome. We’ll bring a spotting scope that we’ll keep at a kid-friendly height.
| Tour leader | Carolee and Sarah |
| Time | 6:30 am - 10:30 am, Saturday |
| Difficulty | Moderate walking, approx. 4km |
| Cost | $25 |
| Limit | 10 |
| Meet | Rotacrest Hall 230B-19th Ave N |
Exploring Wynndel and Lakeview Arrow Creek Areas
With a mix of Forest, Open Fields, Farmland and Orchards, this area has potential to discover and observe a wide variety of birds from Song Birds, Woodpeckers, Jays, Owls and other Raptors, and Waterfowl. The trip will start in the Lakeview Arrow Creek area and then cross over Arrow Pass into the Creston Valley to explore the Wynndel area. We will travel by car but will walk rural areas as we search for and observe the birds of this lush mixed habitat.
| Tour leader | Lyle Grisedale |
| Time | 6:30 am - 10:30 am, Saturday |
| Difficulty | Easy walking/driving |
| Cost | $25 |
| Limit | 12 |
| Meet | Rotacrest Hall 230B-19th Ave N |
From Farmlands to Forests - SOLD OUT
Take a drive with Gary to the benchlands of West Creston that will tour farmlands, meadows, timber, wet edges, and the beautiful Kootenay River with big vistas and great thermals. Possible species include Sandhill Cranes, Long-billed Curlews, Bobolinks, Western and Eastern Kingbirds, Mountain Bluebirds, hawks, falcons, and some other interesting surprises! The Dodge Creek Forest Road should be good for viewing flycatchers, warblers, grosbeaks, vireos, and some interesting sparrows.
| Tour leader | Gary Davidson |
| Time | 6:30 am - 10:30 am, Saturday |
| Difficulty | Easy walking/driving |
| Cost | $25 |
| Limit | 12 |
| Where | Nick Island, Reclamation Road, Dodge Creek Forest Roads (Map) |
| Meet | Rotacrest Hall 230B-19th Ave N |
Birding the Farmlands
Come along as we explore the flats, Creston’s wide open spaces. Keep an eye out for raptors, meadowlarks, songbirds, and maybe even a curlew as we meander through the expanses of farmland in the valley. This tour will include some short walks on flat terrain along with some car-birding. We will cover a variety of habitats to focus on birds unique to the farmlands.
| Tour leader | Gaelen Schnare |
| Time | 6:30 am - 10:30 am, Saturday |
| Difficulty | Easy walking/driving |
| Cost | $25 |
| Limit | 12 |
| Meet | Rotacrest Hall 230B-19th Ave N |
Fox Tree Hill, Tanal Marsh, Mawson Lake
Join our new guide, Carter, at Fox Tree Hill, Tanal Marsh, and Mawson Lake as we visit both forest and marsh for possible sightings of Common loons, waterfowl, hummingbirds, and wide variety of song birds. There will be some easy hiking as we wander through the open forest at Fox Tree Hill. For the photographers in the group there will be many great photo opportunities.
| Tour leader | Carter Strope |
| Time | 6:30 am - 10:30 am, Saturday |
| Difficulty | Easy Walking |
| Cost | $25 |
| Limit | 10 |
| Meet | Rotacrest Hall 230B-19th Ave N |
Family Birding to Schikurski Park
Join Ulrike for a walk down the Devon Trail to Schikurski Park to see what feathery friends we can find! There might be a beautiful Lazuli Bunting singing from the treetops, or a pheasant running through the grasses. Some surprises along the way!
Bring your binoculars and investigative skills! “Eye spy with my eagle eyes”!
Children must be registered ($5/per child) and accompanied by an adult (free).
| Tour leader | Ulrike Sliworsky |
| Time | 10:00 am - 12:00 pm, Saturday |
| Difficulty | Easy walking |
| Cost | $5 per child |
| Limit | 12 |
| Meet | Rotacrest Hall 230B-19th Ave N |
Bird Art Sale
| Time | 10:00 am - 4:00 pm, Saturday |
| Where | Creston Valley Visitor Centre - 121 Northwest Blvd. |
Wildflower Wander up to Balancing Rock
An uphill climb to a little wetland with fantastic views of our valley! Skunk cabbage, Ferns, and Devil’s Club galore. Late spring flowers should also be along the trail such as Larkspur, Paintbrush, Shooting Star, Wild Ginger, Trillium, Spring Beauty, and Ragged Robin. Some feathery friends might show up too!
| Tour leader | Jesse Moreton and Ed McMackin |
| Time | 10:30 am - 12:30 pm, Saturday |
| Difficulty | Difficult Uphill |
| Cost | $15 |
| Limit | 10 |
| Meet | Rotacrest Hall 230B-19th Ave N |
Savour Food Truck
| Time | 10:30 am - 2:30 pm, Saturday |
Spread Your Wings! Drop-in activities and crafts for families!
Join us at the Discovery Centre to learn more about the wetlands and wildlife of the area. A variety of displays, taxidermy mounts, skeletons, tracks, insect specimens, hands-on activities, kids’ area and more will keep everyone busy and entertained!
| Time | 10:00 am - 3:00 pm, Saturday |
| Cost | Free |
| Meet | The Discovery Centre: 1760 West Creston Road |
| Note | Registration is not required for this event. |
Guided Canoe Trips
Join a Naturalist for a one-hour guided canoe tour to experience the sights and sounds of this internationally designated wetland. Paddle the ponds and channels in voyageur canoes in search of wildlife and adventure! From birds to turtles to bugs…you never know what you might encounter!
Tour #1 10:30 am to 12:00 am
Tour #2 12:00 am to 1:30 pm
Tour #3 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm
Tour #4 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm
| Time | 10:30 am - 4:30 pm, Saturday |
| Cost | Adults $10/Youth (3-17 years old) $5 |
| Limit | Up to 16 people per posted canoe time |
| Where | Corn Creek Marsh, CVWMA |
| Meet | The Discovery Centre: 1760 West Creston Road |
Winery Tour and Tastings at Baillie-Grohman Winery
Always wanted to see the inner workings of a winery from the perspective of a winemaker? Then this tour is for you! Enjoy a private tour and tasting of the Baillie-Grohman Estate wines hosted by winemaker, Wes Johnson. An experience for wine lovers to dive deeper into the art and science of winemaking, and to get an insight of all the hard work and dedication that goes into producing a bottle of wine.
| Tour leader | Wes Johnson, Winemaker |
| Time | 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm, Saturday |
| Cost | $35 |
| Limit | 15 |
| Where | Baillie-Grohman Estate Winery (Map) |
Kootenay Meadows Organic Dairy Farm Tour
A cheese tasting with an explanation of the cheese-making and bottling process will be followed by a guided tour of the barns and a pasture walk to view the farm’s duck ponds and riparian area.
| Time | 12:30 pm - 2:30 pm, Saturday |
| Cost | $10 |
| Limit | Unlimited |
| Where | Kootenay Meadows: 3071 - 16th Street (Map) |
iNaturalist Workshop
iNaturalist is a network of naturalists, citizen scientists, and biologists built on the concept of mapping and sharing observations of biodiversity across the globe. iNaturalist may be accessed via its website or from its mobile applications and includes an automated species identification tool where users further assist each other in identifying organisms from photographs.
iNaturalist describes itself as “an online social network of people sharing biodiversity information to help each other learn about nature”, with its primary goal being to connect people to nature. This workshop will explain how to use this amazing tool!
| Tour leader | Paul Prappas |
| Time | 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm, Saturday |
| Cost | $10 |
| Limit | 15 |
| Where | Rotacrest Hall 230B-19th Ave N (Map) |
Tour of Swan Valley Honey
Amanda Goodman Lee and Jeff Lee are pleased to give a tour of their honey farm. The tour includes an observation hive where you can get up close to the bees, honey tasting and education on the life of honey bees. For those who want an added adventure a visit to the bee yard for those not allergic or phobic. Honey can be purchased at their sales office on location. Bee suits are available on site.
| Tour leader | Amanda and Jeff |
| Time | 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm, Saturday |
| Cost | $10 |
| Limit | 20 (10 per group) |
| Where | Meet at the Honey Farm: 220 East Placsko Road (Map) |
Weeds to the Rescue - Medicine from your backyard
Do you curse the dandelions, chickweed and plantain that grow in your garden? Do you spend hours trying to rid yourself of burdock and thistles? If you do, then you are ridding yourself of valuable healing plants. Join medical herbalist Rachel Beck as she helps you to learn about the nutritional and medicinal value of the weeds and common plants that grow in most backyards and how you can use them to create your own natural medicine chest.
Rachel Beck has been a medical herbalist for over 30 years and has taught herbalism for over 20 years. She is also co-owner of Tilia’s Botanicals, an herbal apothecary and gift shop in Creston BC.
| Tour leader | Rachel Beck |
| Time | 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm, Saturday |
| Cost | $15 includes supplies to make a salve |
| Limit | 12 |
| Where | Tilia Botanicals: 115-20th Avenue S (Map) |
Bird Brain Trivia
Test your knowledge with bird trivia questions to find out if you’re a professional-level Ornithologist or if you have more bird watching to do to brush up on your feathered knowledge.
Compare your answers with your other bird-watching friends and find out who deserves the title of “THE ULTIMATE ORNITHOLOGISTS”!!
To claim this prestigious title and win a prize, submit your team name to:
Email: info@crestonvalleybirds.ca
| Time | 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm, Saturday |
| Cost | Free |
| Where | Wild North Brewing Company (Map) |
| Meet | 125 - 16th Ave North |
| Note | Registration is not required for this event. |
Spring Wildflower Presentation
The appearance of early spring wildflowers signals the arrival of our welcoming spring after a long winter. Come see an assortment of fabulous photos of some common wildflowers that can be found in our valley. Jesse is a local photographer that takes hikes with his camera to near and far places to capture the beauty of our surroundings. Ed is a biologist by profession and naturalist by nature. Both have some amazing photos to share.
| Tour leader | Jesse Moreton and Ed McMackin |
| Time | 9:00 am - 10:00 am, Saturday |
| Cost | $5 |
| Limit | 40 |
| Where | Rotacrest Hall 230B-19th Ave N (Map) |
Springtime Creston Birds
Do you love birds but struggle with identification of some or many of our local species? In this presentation, we will learn tips and tricks that make the daunting task of bird ID a little easier. Though this is a novice presentation, Gaelen hopes to provide information that will be useful to birders with various skill-levels. He will cover a variety of bird families with a focus on species that can be found in the Creston Valley during the bird festival. The presentation will be on visual ID, although he may touch on some bird songs and calls.
| Tour leader | Gaelen Schnare |
| Time | 11:30 am - 12:30 pm, Saturday |
| Cost | $5 |
| Limit | 40 |
| Where | Rotacrest Hall 230B-19th Ave N (Map) |
Nature Canada's Bird Friendly Cities
Saving bird lives starts with local action! Across Canada, people are coming together to make their cities bird friendly.
John Schnare is involved with Nature Canada’s Bird Friendly City certification program which helps to support and protect birdlife in urban environments across Canada. The plan is to interest cities in becoming designated “Bird Friendly”. Bird populations in Canada are undergoing long-standing population declines, with many of the declines occurring in species commonly found in our cities and towns. Preserving and restoring habitat, reducing light pollution, controlling cat predation, and covering windows are just some of the ways Nature Canada suggests communities can help.
John will present a Nature Canada slide show illustrating the Bird Friendly City Program and will talk about the work that is happening locally, what needs to be done in our region, and how people can become involved to help meet certification requirements.
A workshop for all ages. Family participation encouraged.
Nature Canada Bird Friendly Cities
| Tour leader | John Schnare |
| Time | 2:30 pm -3:30 pm, Saturday |
| Cost | $5 |
| Limit | 40 |
| Where | Rotacrest Hall 230B-19th Ave N (Map) |
BC Marsh Monitoring Program
The BC Marsh Monitoring Program (BCMMP) is a citizen/community science wildlife monitoring program organized collaboratively by Birds Canada and WildResearch. Originally beginning in the Great Lakes region in the 90’s, its success here in BC has been fueled by the time and energy contributions of hundreds of volunteers since 2020.
From late winter to early summer, skilled marsh surveyors spend time observing the birds and amphibians that inhabit marsh ecosystems, while recording information and contributing to an online database (NatureCounts). Survey information collected helps track long-term trends in species’ populations and diversity, and guides conservation, restoration, and management programs for these important marsh ecosystems. Please join us to learn how you can get involved in this unique and rewarding opportunity.
https://wildresearch.ca/programs/british-columbia-marsh-monitoring-program/
https://www.birdscanada.org/bird-science/marsh-monitoring-program
| Tour leader | Sarah Town |
| Time | 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm, Saturday |
| Cost | $5 |
| Limit | 40 |
| Where | Rotacrest Hall 230B-19th Ave N (Map) |
BC Nature Important Bird Areas
In 2002, the Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area was designated as a nationally Important Bird Area (IBA) because it regularly supports over 100,000 water birds during migration periods. These sites provide essential habitat for species that might be threatened, endemic, species representative of a biome, or highly exception concentrations of birds.
IBAs are a global program that helps us to define which areas around the globe are the most critical to the perseverance of wild bird populations. Here in B.C. we have 83 such sites, which range from everything from wind-battered breeding islands supporting nearly 2 million Cassin’s Auklets to critical estuaries where migrating Western Sandpiper darken the skies in our very own Creston Valley. Join us as the IBA Provincial Coordinator, Liam Ragan, walks us through some of BC’s most critical sites for birds, explains some of the population numbers behind Creston’s global avian recognition, and delves into the future of the program as we look to recognize the other biodiversity which makes these sites so critical.
BC Nature – Important Bird Areas
| Tour leader | Aiva Noringseth |
| Time | 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm, Saturday |
| Cost | $5 |
| Limit | 40 |
| Where | Rotacrest Hall 230B-19th Ave N (Map) |
All About Bats!
The Kootenay Community Bat Project (KCBP) was established in 2004 with the goal of raising awareness about bat conservation, conducting inventories of bats in buildings, working with landowners who have bats, and promoting the Annual Bat Count. Over the past 17 years, we have delivered hundreds of educational programs to community groups and schools, visited over 900 properties with bats in buildings, identified key summer roost sites, and supported 85 sites where bat counts are completed. Join us for an evening of fascination and conservation as we delve into the mysterious world of bats! Our engaging presentation will shed light on the vital role bats play in our ecosystem, dispel myths, and explore the unique behaviors of these nocturnal wonders. Following the enlightening talk, gear up for an exciting Bat Count event.
Kootenay Community Bat Project
| Tour leader | Elodie Kuhnert |
| Time | 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm, Saturday |
| Cost | $5 |
| Limit | 40 |
| Where | Rotacrest Hall 230B-19th Ave N (Map) |
Valleyview Motel BBQ and Live Music - SOLD OUT
Valleyview Motel staff is hosting a delicious all-you-can-eat BBQ with live entertainment on their new stage!
A 10% room discount is offered during the festival weekend.. To book a newly-renovated room, visit their website: Valleyview Motel
MENU:
Meat : BBQ Brisket -GF and Roast Chicken -GF
Potato : Mashed potato GF/VEG and Potato Salad GF/VEG
Vegan Dish: Ratatouille – eggplant, zucchini, tomatoes, onion, tomato sauce, olive oil, fresh herbs
Salads – All GF/VEG – we will do our best to source locally!
Mexican Corn & Bean Salad – Lime juice, cilantro, garlic, scallions, smoked paprika, mild jalapeno, corn, blk beans, tomatoes, parmesan, honey – lime vinaigrette dressing.
Green Salad – tomatoes, cucumbers, green onions, radish, creamy or vinaigrette dressing
Pasta Salad – GF Pasta, broccoli, red onion, celery, cauliflower, cucumbers, cheddar cheese, creamy or vinaigrette
Quinoa Mediterranean Salad – cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, red onion, kalamata olives, red pepper, celery, brown lentil, fresh herbs, olive oil, lemon juice, feta cheese(optional)
and white and brown buns
| Time | 5:30 pm until music ends!, Saturday |
| Cost | $35 includes all-you-can-eat BBQ, glass of wine, snacks, and live music! |
| Limit | 75 |
| Where | 216 Valleyview Drive (Map) |
Evening Sounds at Duck Lake - SOLD OUT
Come along on a sonic adventure through the wetlands as we listen for the bird songs of the night. Thrushes, rails, snipe, owls – the night is alive with bird music. Bring your best listening ears, warm clothes, and a trusty flashlight.
| Tour leader | Julia Flesaker |
| Time | 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm, Saturday |
| Difficulty | Easy walking |
| Cost | $15 |
| Limit | 10 |
| Meet | Rotacrest Hall, 230B-19th Ave N |
Bat Count
Join us for a thrilling Bat Count event where you become the scientist in the dark! Bring your curiosity, a flashlight and a clicker if you have one. We will be counting a bat colony at the CVWMA Bat Condo that can host more than 4000 bats in the summer. You will be able to see thousands of little brown bats and Yuma bats flying off for their evening meal.
Kootenay Community Bat Project
| Tour leader | Elodie Kuhnert |
| Time | 8:30 pm - 10:00 pm, Saturday |
| Difficulty | Easy walk, approx. 2 km |
| Cost | $5 |
| Limit | 20 |
| Where | Bat Condo at CVWMA (Map) |
| Meet | Rotacrest Hall, 230B-19th Ave N |
Star Gazing
Come see how a darker sky will help you see more spring constellations and deep space objects, such as the M13 globular cluster in Hercules and the Beehive cluster in Cancer. Learn how to use the Big Dipper’s handle in order to “arc to Arcturus and spiral on to Spica!” Note the eastern rise of the Summer Triangle, and the majesty of Leo. The planets are all hiding from us, morning risers before or close to the Sun. There will be a thin waxing crescent moon setting slowly in the southwest, so the night sky will be more visible!
Note: Please wear layers and use red light (nightlight) on your cell phones. It takes our eye pupils 10 minutes to acclimatize to darkness! If you have an eye to squint and an arm to point you are good to go! We will work on our ability to use just our eyes. Binoculars are welcome but not required. Please leave pets at home!
This event will be cancelled with a full refund if the sky is not clear.
| Tour leader | Angela Prettie |
| Time | 8:45 pm - 10:15 pm, Saturday |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Cost | $10 |
| Limit | 15 |
| Where | Baillie-Grohman Estate Winery, 1140 – 27th Ave S (Map) |
Sunday, May 12
Tours Meet: Free Continental Breakfast
6:00 am to 6:30 am Meet your birding tour leader at Rotacrest Hall, 230B-19 Ave N
Donations and locally sourced items from:
Lark Coffee, Sasquatch Coffee, Tigz Teas, Kootenay Meadows, the Golden Flour Bakery, Pealow’s Independent Grocer, and Save-On Foods will be available.
Tours will leave exactly at 6:30 am so don’t be late!!
| Time | 6:00 am - 6:30 am, Sunday |
| Meet | Rotacrest Hall, 230B-19 Ave N |
Kayak the West Creston Channels
Please bring your own kayak or canoe. Rentals are also available from the Creston Valley Tour Co. with a 10% discount and free delivery!! 250-428-2336
Join Daryl and Dannie on Frenchman’s Slough for a peaceful paddle on quiet waters lined with tall cottonwoods and thick shrubbery. Ideal habitat for a variety of water and land birds including orioles, kingbirds, kingfishers, raptors, and ducks. If the water level in the channel is too low, the alternate tour will be driving Reclamation Road and walking up Dodge Creek Road.
| Tour leader | Daryl Calder |
| Time | 6:30 am - 10:30 am, Sunday |
| Difficulty | Easy kayaking in calm waters |
| Cost | $25 |
| Limit | 10 |
| Where | Frenchman's Slough in West Creston (Map) |
| Meet | Meet at West Creston Channels on Peterman Road and W Creston Road intersection |
Birding by Car to Duck Lake
A variety of landscapes means a variety of birds. Join Ed and Hazel for a driving tour looking for birds beside mountain shrubbery, open farmland, a slow-moving channel, marshland, to the wide-open Duck Lake. Possible sightings of Lazuli Buntings, Raptors, Wood Ducks, Say’s Phoebes, Bullock’s Orioles, and Sandhill Cranes.
| Tour leader | Ed and Hazel Beynon |
| Time | 6:30 am - 10:30 am, Sunday |
| Difficulty | Easy - driving with numerous stops |
| Cost | $25 |
| Limit | 10 |
| Where | Road from the Rotacrest Hall to Duck Lake (Map) |
| Meet | Rotacrest Hall, 230B-19th Ave S |
| Note | Car pooling suggested to reduce traffic and dust |
Birding at Duck Lake
In 2002, the Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area was designated as a nationally Important Bird Area (IBA) because it regularly supports over 100,000 water birds during migration periods. Join Aiva, with Nature BC’s Provincial IBA program, to see how Duck Lake got its name!!
This 1,500 hectare lake is an important destination in the migration of Tundra Swans and Greater White-fronted Geese, and a vast array of waterfowl. Birdwatchers marvel at the 6 species of grebes, large numbers of Great-blue herons, the rare Forster’s Terns – which breed no where else in BC. During their spring migrations, thousands of waterfowl use the lake as a landing pad, stopping to rest and feed on their long journey. Walk the dyke along the south end to see what you can find! The festival weekend is always a great time of year for shorebirds!
| Tour leader | Aiva Noringseth |
| Time | 6:30 am - 10:30 am, Sunday |
| Cost | $25 |
| Limit | 10 |
| Meet | Rotacrest Hall, 230B-19th Ave S |
Duck Lake and Beyond - SOLD OUT
Enjoy a leisurely walk with Julia starting at the bat houses on Channel Road towards Duck Lake. Listen for the spring songs of Bullock’s Orioles, Red-eyed Vireos, Western Wood-Peewees, Common Yellowthroats, and other songsters! Scan the agricultural fields for hunting Northern Harriers or foraging Sandhill Cranes. The cattail marshes on the south end of the lake is home to numerous waterfowl species and, if the water levels are low to expose the mudflats, it attracts some beautiful shorebirds such as Long-billed Dowitchers, Black-necked Stilts, American Avocets, Wilson’s Phalarope, and so much more!!
| Tour leader | Julia Flesaker |
| Time | 6:30 am - 10:30 am, Sunday |
| Cost | $25 |
| Limit | 10 |
| Meet | Rotacrest Hall, 230B-19th Ave S |
Birding the Wildlife Area Trails Sunday Tour
Exploring the dikes and trails through the expansive wetlands of Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area. These trails are full of riparian-habitat songbirds, marsh birds and waterfowl. Your best chance at seeing a Sora!
| Tour leader | Jo Ellen Floer |
| Time | 6:30 am - 10:30 am, Sunday |
| Difficulty | Moderate walking, approx. 4 km |
| Cost | $25 |
| Limit | 10 |
| Meet | Rotacrest Hall, 230B-19th Ave S |
Birding the Wildlife Area Trails - Novice
Welcome to Birding! This trip is geared for anyone relatively new to birding. We’ll walk the paths around the Wildlife Interpretation Centre, with a focus on getting good looks at birds. We’ll answer your questions about binoculars, field guides, and good times and places to watch birds in the Kootenays. Families are welcome. We’ll bring a spotting scope that we’ll keep at a kid-friendly height.
| Tour leader | Carolee Colter and Sarah Fawcett |
| Time | 6:30 am - 10:30 am, Sunday |
| Difficulty | Moderate walking, approx. 4 km |
| Cost | $25 |
| Limit | 10 |
| Meet | Rotacrest Hall, 230B-19th Ave S |
Exploring Wynndel and Lakeview Arrow Creek
With a mix of Forest, Open Fields, Farmland and Orchards, this area has potential to discover and observe a wide variety of birds from Song Birds, Woodpeckers, Jays, Owls and other Raptors, and Waterfowl. The trip will start in the Lakeview Arrow Creek area and then cross over Arrow Pass into the Creston Valley to explore the Wynndel area. We will travel by car but will walk rural areas as we search for and observe the birds of this lush mixed habitat.
| Tour leader | Lyle Grisedale |
| Time | 6:30 am - 10:30 am, Sunday |
| Difficulty | Easy walking/driving |
| Cost | $25 |
| Limit | 12 |
| Meet | Rotacrest Hall, 230B-19th Ave S |
From Farmlands to Forests - CANCELLED
Take a drive with Gary to the benchlands of West Creston that will tour farmlands, meadows, timber, wet edges, and the beautiful Kootenay River with big vistas and great thermals. Possible species include Sandhill Cranes, Long-billed Curlews, Bobolinks, Western and Eastern Kingbirds, Mountain Bluebirds, hawks, falcons, and some other interesting surprises! The Dodge Creek Forest Road should be good for viewing flycatchers, warblers, grosbeaks, vireos, and possibly a beautiful Western Tanager!
| Tour leader | Gary Davidson |
| Time | 6:30 am - 10:30 am, Sunday |
| Difficulty | Easy walking/driving |
| Cost | $25 |
| Limit | 12 |
| Where | Nick Is. Road, Reclamation Road, Dodge Creek Forest Road (Map) |
| Meet | Rotacrest Hall, 230B-19th Ave S |
| Note | Carpooling suggested |
Birding the Farmlands
Come along as we explore the flats, Creston’s wide open spaces. Keep an eye out for raptors, meadowlarks, songbirds, and maybe even a curlew as we meander through the expanses of farmland in the valley. This tour will include some short walks on flat terrain along with some car-birding. We will cover a variety of habitats with a focus on birds unique to the farmlands.
| Tour leader | Gaelen Schnare |
| Time | 6:30 am - 10:30 am, Sunday |
| Difficulty | Easy walking/driving |
| Cost | $25 |
| Limit | 12 |
| Where | Farmlands on the flats (Map) |
| Meet | Rotacrest Hall, 230B-19th Ave S |
| Note | Carpooling suggested |
Fox Tree Hill, Tanal Marsh, Mawson Lake - SOLD OUT
Join our new guide, Carter, at Fox Tree Hill, Tanal Marsh, and Mawson Lake as we visit both forest and marsh for possible sightings of Common loons, waterfowl, hummingbirds, and wide variety of song birds. There will be some easy hiking as we wander through the open forest at Fox Tree Hill. For the photographers in the group there will be many great photo opportunities.
| Tour leader | Carter Strope |
| Time | 6:30 am - 10:30 am, Sunday |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Cost | $25 |
| Limit | 10 |
| Meet | Rotacrest Hall, 230B-19th Ave S |
Ripple Ridge Cabin - SOLD OUT
This out & back hike is on the highest mountain pass opened year-round in North
America and will take 5 hours (at birding speed), including the 1-hr drive round-trip from Creston (at highway speed). The hike is on an old rough unmaintained gravel forest service road with a moderate climb through Stagleap Provincial Park. You will pass through an Engelmann’s spruce and subalpine fir forest (with Beargrass) and also in a somewhat semi-alpine habitat. There are maintained outhouses available at the Ripple Ridge Cabin and picnic tables. The view is spectacular on clear days!
Bridal Lake offers good bird sighting opportunities. eBird reports 117 species observed for Stagleap Provincial Park. Some of the species we will be looking and listening for: American Three-toed Woodpecker, Canada Jay, Clark’s Nutcracker, Fox Sparrow, Cassin’s Finch, McGillivray’s Warbler, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Golden Eagle, Boreal Chickadee, Hermit Thrush, Pine Grosbeak, Red and White-winged Crossbills, Townsend’s Warbler, Dusky and Spruce Grouse, and maybe a Boreal Owl!
Please Note: this tour will be cancelled if there is too much snowpack.
| Tour leader | Marc-Andre Beaucher |
| Time | 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm, Sunday |
| Difficulty | Difficult, approx. 6 km |
| Cost | $25 |
| Limit | 10 |
| Meet | Rotacrest Hall, 230B-19th Ave N |
Slurp and Chirp at Baillie-Grohman Estate Winery
** No registration required **
Relax after a fantastic weekend of birding, enjoy a charcuterie board and a glass of award-winning wine at Baillie-Grohman Estate Winery. Possible bird sightings in the vineyard: Western Bluebirds, Lazuli Buntings, Western Meadowlarks, and Ring-necked Pheasants.
Menu: Baillie-Grohman Menu
| Time | 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm, Sunday |
| Cost | Food & Beverages at your expense |
| Where | Baillie-Grohman Estate Winery, 1140-27th Ave S, Creston (Map) |
| Note | Registration is not required for this event. |
Monday, May 13
Birding in Crawford Bay - SOLD OUT
At the north end of the largest bay on Kootenay Lake, near the small settlement of Crawford Bay, there is a little-known wetland area comprising of 62 hectares, and a birder’s delight!
Two creeks flow into the shallow north end of the bay providing varied habitat for many species of birds. It is an important site along the springtime flyway to see migrating Sandhill Cranes or Tundra Swans.
| Tour leader | Sachi Snively and Ulrike Sliworsky |
| Time | 9:00 am - 12:00 pm, Monday |
| Cost | $25 |
| Limit | 12 |
| Where | Crawford Bay Wetlands (Map) |
| Meet | Rotacrest Hall, 230B-19th Ave N |
| Note | Meet at Rotacrest in Creston at 7:30 am. Tour starts in Crawford Bay at 9:00 am. |
