Schedule of Events for 2025

2025 Printable Schedule of Events


Thursday, May 8

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm   Movie Night at the Creston Library

Friday, May 9

12:00 pm - 4:00 pm   Final Festival Registration
   Kayak the West Creston Channels
12:00 pm - 2:00 pm   Birds and History along the Erickson Train Tracks
5:00 pm - 9:00 pm   "Birds are Back!" Evening Dinner
7:00 pm - 8:00 pm   "Birds in the Darkwoods"! with Adrian Leslie

Saturday, May 10

6:00 am - 6:30 am   Tours Meet: Free Continental Breakfast
Bird Tours
6:30 am - 10:30 am   Kayak the West Creston Channels
   Birding by Car to Duck Lake
   Birding at Duck Lake
   Birding the Wildlife Area Trails
   Birding the Wildlife Area Trails - Novice
   Exploring Wynndel and Lakeview Arrow Creek Areas
   Birding the Farmlands West of the Kootenay River
   Adventure in the West!
   Fox Tree Hill, Tanal Marsh, Mawson Lake
   Williams Creek Falls
Other Festival Events!!
9:30 am - 11:30 pm   Wildflower Wander up to Balancing Rock
10:00 am - 3:00 pm   Spread Your Wings! Drop-in activities and crafts for families!
10:30 am - 4:30 pm   Guided Canoe Trips
10:30 am - 4:00 pm   World Migratory Day Luncheon
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm   "Travelling to the Birds" - Tales of an International Bird Guide
12:00 pm - 2:00 pm   Winery Tour and Tastings at Baillie-Grohman Winery
12:30 pm - 2:30 pm   Kootenay Meadows Organic Dairy Farm Tour
1:30 pm - 3:30 pm   Photography Workshop with Lindsay Donald
2:30 pm - 4:30 pm   Tour of Swan Valley Honey
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm   Weeds to the Rescue - Medicine from your backyard
4:00 pm - 6:00 pm   Bird Brain Trivia at Wild North Brewing
6:15 pm - 7:15 pm   Sternwheeler Craft Distillery Tour
Explore the Night!
5:30 pm until music ends!   Valleyview Motel BBQ and Live Music
6:15 - 715 pm   "Comedic Birds" Presentation
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm   Evening Sounds at Duck Lake
8:45 pm - 10:15 pm   Star Gazing

Sunday, May 11

6:00 am - 6:30 am   Tours Meet: Free Continental Breakfast
Bird Tours
6:30 am - 10:30 am   Kayak the West Creston Channels
   Birding by Car to Duck Lake
   Birding at Duck Lake
   Birding the Wildlife Area Trails
   Birding the Wildlife Area Trails - Novice
   Exploring Wynndel and Lakeview Arrow Creek
   Birding the Farmlands West of the Kootenay River
   Birding the Farmland East of the Kootenay River
   Fox Tree Hill, Tanal Marsh, Mawson Lake
8:00 am - 10:00 am   Mother's Day Walk
9:00 am to noon   Birder's Brunch
10:30 pm - 12:30 am   Macrame Owl Workshop
1:00 pm - 5:00 pm   Slurp and Chirp at Baillie-Grohman Estate Winery

Monday, May 12

9:00 am - 12:00 pm   Birding in Crawford Bay




Thursday, May 8


Movie Night at the Creston Library

Come watch a documentary film at the Creston Valley Public Library!

Birders: The Central Park Effect (2012) – IMDb

Movie Trailer

A diverse group of full-of-attitude New Yorkers reveals how a hidden world of beautiful wild birds in the middle of Manhattan has upended and magically transformed their lives.

Time   7:00 pm - 8:30 pm, Thursday
Meet   Creston Valley Public Library, 531 16th Ave S  (Map)



Friday, May 9


Final Festival Registration

Time   12:00 pm - 4:00 pm, Friday
Meet   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 

Creston Valley Tour Co

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 and Fred Gauthier
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   West Creston Channels (Peterman Road and W. Creston Road intersection)
Note   Please meet Daryl at launch site on Peterman Road

Photo credit: Joelle Burnie

Birds and History along the Erickson Train Tracks

Interested in listening to some of Creston’s history while viewing the birdlife within our town?

Join Tammy on an easy walk along the Erickson Train Tracks! Hear about the “Railway Wars in the Kootenays” and other interesting train stories.

Our feathery friends have a habit of showing up everywhere along the way including in local stories of our past.

Note: With permission from CPR, we are able to walk the trail which is more than 15 ft past the tracks.

Tour leader   Tammy Bradford, Creston Museum Manager
Time   12:00 pm - 2:00 pm, Friday
Difficulty   3 km walk with 1 difficult hill
Cost   $10
Limit   12
Meet   Baillie-Grohman Estate Winery  (Map)
Note   Please meet Tammy at Baillie-Grohman Winery


"Birds are Back!" Evening Dinner

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 Eleni Pantelaiou and her team from Gefsis Catering who aspire to use locally-sourced products and produce grown in our valley.

Presentation to follow dinner by Adrian Leslie with the Nature Conservancy of Canada.

There will be some great door prizes!!  

Please note:  dinner will include some gluten-free and dairy-free options but if you have any further dietary concerns, please email us (info@crestonvalleybirds.ca)

Time   5:00 pm - 9:00 pm, Friday
Cost   $45 / Youth 17 & under $22.50
Limit   65
Where   Rotacrest Hall, 230B-19th Ave N  (Map)
Note   Cash bar only


"Birds in the Darkwoods"!

Presentation by Adrian Leslie, Nature Conservancy of Canada

Join us for an exploration of the birds that call Darkwoods home, a 63,000-hectare landscape next to Creston rich in bird diversity. Darkwoods is a haven for wildlife, with habitats ranging from low elevation old growth forests to open subalpine meadows, alpine ridges, and wetlands. This diverse ecosystem supports a wide range of species, from raptors to songbirds and everything in between, making it a birdwatcher’s paradise.

One of the most fascinating birds of Darkwoods is the Clark’s Nutcracker, a remarkable species known for its crucial role in the survival of whitebark pine trees. These birds are not only exceptional in their adaptability but also integral to the forest’s regeneration. They cache whitebark pine seeds, some of which grow into new trees, thus ensuring the future of this important forest species. The Nature Conservancy of Canada has been working to restore this ecosystem in Darkwoods, by learning from the Nutcracker and planting over 100,000 seedlings in the last few years. The relationship between the Clark’s Nutcracker and whitebark pine exemplifies the interconnectedness of nature, highlighting how one species’ behavior can impact an entire ecosystem.

This talk will delve into the lives of these birds and the broader biodiversity of Darkwoods, exploring the many ways these habitats sustain life. Whether you’re a bird enthusiast or simply curious about the wonders of nature, this talk will offer a deeper understanding of the crucial role birds play in maintaining ecological balance.

Tour leader   Adrian Leslie
Time   7:00 pm - 8:00 pm, Friday
Cost   Included in banquet cost
Where   Rotacrest Hall, 230B-19th Ave N  (Map)

Photo credit: Tammy Bradford


Saturday, May 10


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)

Be aware: Bears are in the valley. Please bring Bear Spray!

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

Creston Valley Tour Co  

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 and Fred Gauthier
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   West Creston Channels (Peterman Road and W. Creston Road intersection)
Note   Please meet Daryl at launch site on Peterman Road


Birding by Car to Duck Lake

A variety of landscapes means a variety of birds. Take 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   Joachim Bertrands
Time   6:30 am - 10:30 am, Saturday
Difficulty   Easy – driving with numerous stops
Cost   $25
Limit   10
Meet   Rotacrest Hall, 230B-19th Ave N  (Map)
Note   Please meet your bird guide at the Rotacrest at 6am for a 6:30am departure.

Photo credit: Claude Rioux

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   Julia Flesaker
Time   6:30 am - 10:30 am, Saturday
Difficulty   Easy walking
Cost   $25
Limit   10
Meet   Rotacrest Hall 230B-19th Ave N  (Map)
Note   Please meet your bird guide at the Rotacrest at 6am for a 6:30am departure.

Photo credit: Ulrike Sliworsky (Forster's Terns)

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   Mannfred Boehm
Time   6:30 am - 10:30 am, Saturday
Difficulty   Moderate walking, approx. 4km
Cost   $25
Limit   10
Meet   Rotacrest Hall 230B-19th Ave N  (Map)
Note   Please meet your bird guide at the Rotacrest at 6am for a 6:30am departure.

Photo credit: Karen Whitford (Barn Swallows)

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 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.

Your tour leader, Seth Benoit, is the recipient of the Young Birders award in 2024 with the BC Field Ornithologists!

Tour leader   Seth Benoit
Time   6:30 am - 10:30 am, Saturday
Difficulty   Moderate walking, approx. 4km
Cost   $25
Limit   10
Meet   Rotacrest Hall 230B-19th Ave N  (Map)
Note   Please meet your bird guide at the Rotacrest at 6am for a 6:30am departure.

Photo credit: Lyle Grisedale (Yellow-headed Blackbird)

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   10
Meet   Rotacrest Hall 230B-19th Ave N  (Map)
Note   Please meet your bird guide at the Rotacrest at 6am for a 6:30am departure.

Photo credit: Lyle Grisedale (Red-tailed Hawk)

Birding the Farmlands West of the Kootenay River

Take a drive 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 Lewis Woodpeckers, 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   Sachi Snively
Time   6:30 am - 10:30 am, Saturday
Difficulty   Easy walking/driving
Cost   $25
Limit   10
Meet   Rotacrest Hall 230B-19th Ave N  (Map)
Note   Please meet your bird guide at the Rotacrest at 6am for a 6:30am departure.

Photo credit: Lyle Grisedale (Mountain Bluebird)

Adventure in the West!

Join Jo Ellen and her son, Dale, on an adventure out west!  Explore some great birding areas on the west side of our valley – starting up at the Balancing Rock trail for some songsters, walking to the north look-out tower of Corn Creek, and ending at the Summit Creek campground.

Tour leader   Jo Ellen and Dale Floer
Time   6:30 am - 10:30 am, Saturday
Difficulty   Moderate climb and easy walking
Cost   $25
Limit   10
Meet   Rotacrest Hall 230B-19th Ave N  (Map)
Note   Please meet your bird guide at the Rotacrest at 6am for a 6:30am departure.

Photo credit: Tammy Bradford

Fox Tree Hill, Tanal Marsh, Mawson Lake

Fox Tree Hill, Tanal Marsh, and Mawson Lake visits both forest and marsh for possible sightings of Common loons, waterfowl, hummingbirds, and a 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   Aiva Noringseth
Time   6:30 am - 10:30 am, Saturday
Difficulty   Easy Walking
Cost   $25
Limit   10
Meet   Rotacrest Hall 230B-19th Ave N  (Map)
Note   Please meet your bird guide at the Rotacrest at 6am for a 6:30am departure.

Photo credit: Karen Whitford (Rufous Hummingbird)

Williams Creek Falls

Williams Creek Falls is a very pleasant trail located at the west side of the valley north of Highway 3.

Some forested species that can be seen on this trail are Vaux Swift, Hammond’s Flycatcher, Cassin’s Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Brown Creeper, Western Tanager, and a variety of Warblers.

Trails for Creston Valley Society

Nature Conservancy of Canada

Tour leader   Adrian Leslie and Marc-Andre Beaucher
Time   6:30 am - 10:30 am, Saturday
Difficulty   Difficult, Approx. 5 km
Cost   $25
Limit   12
Meet   Rotacrest Hall 230B-19th Ave N  (Map)
Note   This hike is not recommended if you have bad knees or hips.Please meet your bird guide at the Rotacrest at 6am for a 6:30am departure.


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   Kim Asquith and Ed McMackin
Time   9:30 am - 11:30 pm, Saturday
Difficulty   Difficult Uphill
Cost   $15
Limit   8
Meet   Rotacrest Hall 230B-19th Ave N  (Map)
Note   Please meet your tour guides at the Rotacrest Hall

Photo credit: Jesse Moreton (Indian Paintbrush))

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!  

Discovery Centre

Time   10:00 am - 3:00 pm, Saturday
Cost   Free
Meet   The Discovery Centre: 1760 West Creston Road  (Map)
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  (Map)
Meet   The Discovery Centre: 1760 West Creston Road


World Migratory Day Luncheon

The Sasquatch Grubshack Food Truck will be waiting at the Rotacrest parking lot for the return of all the bird tours.  Grab some grub and then join us inside for a “Bird Cafe” with display tables, bird puzzles, coloring sheets, and a chance to challenge other birders with the “Wingspan” game!

GRUB SHACK MENU

Bald Eagle- 5 oz AAA Angus w/ Chili, Cheese, Bacon, Cheese $18
Raven- 5 oz AAA Angus w/ Cheese, Bacon $16
Crow – 5 oz AAA Angus w/Cheese $14
Whiskey Jack- 5 oz AAA Angus $12
White Swan 2 Beef Dawgs in a Bun w/ Bacon, Cheese $12
Canada Goose-Beef Dog with BBQ Smoked Pork Shoulder, Cheese $10
Steller Jay – Beef Dawg with Chili, Cheese $8
Hummingbird- Beef Dawg $6

Small Fries $6
Large Fries $10
Gravy $2
Small Poutine $10
Large Poutine $14
Chicken strips and Fries $15
Taco Chili Fries $15
Smoked Pork Fries $15

Time   10:30 am - 4:00 pm, Saturday
Where   Rotacrest Hall 230B-19th Ave N  (Map)


"Travelling to the Birds"

Joachim Bertrands – working for Ornis Birding Expeditions – will give a presentation on some of the amazing places he tours across the world. From the deserts of the Arabian peninsula, the rainforests of Borneo or the pine slopes of Mexico, Joachim likes to explore and take with him a bunch of enthusiasts in the process.

Ornis Birding Expeditions

Tour leader   Joachim Bertrands
Time   12:00 pm - 1:00 pm, Saturday
Cost   FREE!
Meet   Rotacrest Hall 230B-19th Ave N  (Map)


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 Hagenfeldt. 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.

Baillie-Grohman Estate Winery

Tour leader   Wes Hagenfeldt, Winemaker
Time   12:00 pm - 2:00 pm, Saturday
Cost   $30
Limit   15
Where   Baillie-Grohman Estate Winery  (Map)
Note   Must be 19+ years of age


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.

Kootenay Meadows

Time   12:30 pm - 2:30 pm, Saturday
Cost   $10
Limit   Unlimited
Where   Kootenay Meadows: 3071 - 16th Street  (Map)


Photography Workshop

Lindsay Donald is an international award-winning wildlife photographer. Originally from Scotland, he has a degree in zoology and animal behavior from the University of Hull in the United Kingdom. Lindsay started taking photographs to illustrate animal behavior for a research project in the late 1970’s. He has travelled the World in search of amazing wildlife images. In North America he travels from Florida to Alaska and makes frequent visits to Africa including Botswana, South Africa, Tanzania, Zimbabwe & Zambia. Lindsay has also taught wildlife photography techniques and led photographic workshops.

Tour leader   Lindsay Donald
Time   1:30 pm - 3:30 pm, Saturday
Cost   $20
Limit   40
Where   Creston Valley Public Library, 531 - 16th Ave S  (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.  Bee suits are available on site.

What to wear if you want to visit the beehive: 

  • Closed toed shoes or boots – NO SANDALS
  • Long pants – NO SHORTS
  • Short-sleeved shirts optional but long-sleeved preferred

Honey can be purchased at their sales office on location.

Honeybeezen.com

Tour leader   Amanda and Jeff
Time   2:30 pm - 4:30 pm, Saturday
Cost   $10
Limit   20 (10 per group)
Where   Swan Valley Honey, 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.

Tilia Botanicals

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, 125 - 16th Ave North  (Map)
Note   To sign up your team please contact info@crestonvalleybirds.ca


Sternwheeler Craft Distillery Tour

Join Pat Meerholz, Master Distiller, for a tour of Creston’s craft distillery newly located in our downtown area.  Learn how he produces unique handcrafted batches of  award-winning Spirits by using fresh fruit grown in our local orchards. No grains, artificial colors, or flavors are used.

Tour leader   Pat Meerholz
Time   6:15 pm - 7:15 pm, Saturday
Cost   $5.00
Limit   10
Where   Sternwheeler Craft Distillery, 1628 Canyon Street  (Map)
Note   Must be 19+ years of age


Valleyview Motel BBQ and Live Music

Valleyview Motel staff is hosting a delicious 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:  https://www.thevalleyview.ca/

Time   5:30 pm until music ends!, Saturday
Where   216 Valleyview Drive  (Map)


"Comedic Birds"

It’s blurry, playing peek-a-boo, and showing its under-fluffies!  

“Hey, you take some wonderful photos of birds – would you be willing to share them as part of our Local Colours photography show this year?” That was a slightly panic-inducing request for Tammy Bradford, who does take a lot of photos but wouldn’t actually call most of them “wonderful”, especially when she’s part of a presentation that features genuine award-winning wildlife photographers.

Her presentation at that event produced a few laughs and deserves another audience!  Join Tammy as she shares some of the best…and worst… of what happens when a non-photographer tries to be a photographer.  

Tour leader   Tammy Bradford
Time   6:15 - 715 pm, Saturday
Cost   FREE
Where   Rotacrest Hall 230B-19th Ave N  (Map)


Evening Sounds at Duck Lake

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.  

The Duck Lake dyke separates marsh from deeper waters, resulting in a diversity of bird species.  This is also where endangered Leopard Frogs have been released and thriving.

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  (Map)
Note   Please meet your bird guide at the Rotacrest Hall.

Photo credit: Karen Whitford

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.  Mars and Jupiter will be visible overhead. All the other planets are morning risers before or close to the Sun. There will be an almost full moon rising in the east, which will dim all but the brightest stars. The advantage will be that the major constellations, such as Gemini and Leo, will be easier to recognize.

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)

Photo credit: Joelle Burnie


Sunday, May 11


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  (Map)

Be aware: Bears are in the valley. Please bring Bear Spray!

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

Creston Valley Tour Co

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 and Eloise Carr
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   West Creston Channels on Peterman Road and W Creston Road intersection
Note   Please meet Daryl at the launch site on Peterman Road.

Photo credit: Tanna Patterson

Birding by Car to Duck Lake

A variety of landscapes means a variety of birds. Take 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   Joachim Bertrands
Time   6:30 am - 10:30 am, Sunday
Difficulty   Easy - driving with numerous stops
Cost   $25
Limit   10
Meet   Rotacrest Hall, 230B-19th Ave S  (Map)
Note   Please meet your bird guide at the Rotacrest at 6am for a 6:30am departure.

Photo credit: Karen Whitford (Great-blue Heron)

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   Julia Flesaker
Time   6:30 am - 10:30 am, Sunday
Cost   $25
Limit   10
Meet   Rotacrest Hall, 230B-19th Ave S  (Map)
Note   Please meet your bird guide at the Rotacrest at 6am for a 6:30am departure.


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   Mannfred Boehm
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  (Map)
Note   Please meet your bird guide at the Rotacrest at 6am for a 6:30am departure.

Photo credit: Claude Rioux

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   Seth Benoit
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  (Map)
Note   Please meet your bird guide at the Rotacrest at 6am for a 6:30am departure.


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   10
Meet   Rotacrest Hall, 230B-19th Ave S  (Map)
Note   Please meet your bird guide at the Rotacrest at 6am for a 6:30am departure.

Photo credit: Ulrike Sliworsky

Birding the Farmlands West of the Kootenay River

Take a drive 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 Lewis Woodpeckers, 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 Lazuli Buntings, flycatchers, warblers, grosbeaks, vireos, and some interesting sparrows.

 

Tour leader   Jo Ellen and Dale Floer
Time   6:30 am - 10:30 am, Sunday
Difficulty   Easy walking/driving
Cost   $25
Limit   10
Meet   Rotacrest Hall 230B-19th Ave N  (Map)
Note   Please meet your bird guide at the Rotacrest at 6am for a 6:30am departure.

Photo credit: Tammy Bradford

Birding the Farmlands East of the Kootenay River

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   Sachi Snively
Time   6:30 am - 10:30 am, Sunday
Difficulty   Easy walking/driving
Cost   $25
Limit   10
Meet   Rotacrest Hall, 230B-19th Ave S  (Map)
Note   Please meet your bird guide at the Rotacrest at 6am for a 6:30am departure.

Photo credit: Alyssa Hollyoake (Long-billed Curlew)

Fox Tree Hill, Tanal Marsh, Mawson Lake

Fox Tree Hill, Tanal Marsh, and Mawson Lake visit both forest and marsh for possible sightings of Common loons, waterfowl, hummingbirds, and a 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   Aiva Noringseth
Time   6:30 am - 10:30 am, Sunday
Difficulty   Easy
Cost   $25
Limit   10
Meet   Rotacrest Hall, 230B-19th Ave S  (Map)
Note   Please meet your bird guide at the Rotacrest at 6am for a 6:30am departure.

Photo credit: Jean Wallace (Spotted Towhee)

Mother's Day Walk

Join Julia on a leisurely walk around the Songbird Trail at Corn Creek Marsh. Discover some of Creston’s feathery friends with a game along the way.

A perfect way to spend Mother’s Day! 

Tour leader   Julia Shewan
Time   8:00 am - 10:00 am, Sunday
Difficulty   Easy
Cost   $5 per child
Limit   10
Where   Songbird Loop at the Wildlife Centre  (Map)
Meet   Discovery Centre
Note   Mom's are FREE!!!


Birder's Brunch

Upon the return of all the bird tours, a Mother’s Day Birders Brunch will be served by the Sasquatch Grubshack!  

Smash Breakfast – 1 egg, Sausage, Smoked Bacon, Cheese, Hash Brown- $12
Served on a Bun, Croissant or Wrap

Choice of Homemade Muffins $4
Cinnamon Bun $4

Time   9:00 am to noon, Sunday
Where   Rotacrest Hall 230B-19th Ave N  (Map)


Macrame Owl Workshop

Mother’s Day Workshop!

 

Cost includes supplies!

Tour leader   Amy
Time   10:30 pm - 12:30 am, Sunday
Difficulty   Somewhat challenging!
Cost   $20
Limit   10
Where   Creston Valley Public Library, 531 16th Ave S  (Map)
Note   Suggested age: 12+ years


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 12


Birding in Crawford Bay

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 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 Lyle Grisedale
Time   9:00 am - 12:00 pm, Monday
Cost   $25
Limit   12
Meet   Rotacrest Hall, 230B-19th Ave N  (Map)
Note   Meet at Rotacrest in Creston at 7:30 am. Tour starts in Crawford Bay at 9:00 am.


Branch Information

Contact

Box 1001
Creston, BC
V0B 1G0
crestonvalley@wildsight.ca