2023 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

To Register Click Here!

 https://www.valleyviewmotel.info/

Call 250428-2336 for your 10% “Bird Fest Discount”!!

DETAILS OF FESTIVAL EVENTS:

Friday

May 12th, 2023:

Final Registration at Baillie-Grohman Estate Winery

When:          12:00 am to 4:00 pm. 
Where:         Baillie-Grohman Estate Winery, 1140 – 27th Ave S 

Baillie-Grohman Winery Map

BIRD BINGO

Looking for a fun way to find birds in our valley?

Get your Bingo cards here:

Bingo – American

Bingo – BIG birds!

Bingo – Colored-parts

Bingo – Colors#2

Bingo – Colors

Bingo – Duck Lake

Bingo – Easy

Bingo – Hyphens

Bingo – Kids

Checklist for kids

Checklist

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  https://www.crestonvalleytours.com/

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

When:                    12:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Difficulty:                Easy kayaking in calm waters
Cost:                      $20
Limit:                      10 people
Where:                   Meet at West Creston Channels (Peterman Road and W. Creston Road intersection)

Frenchman’s Slough Map

Photo Credit: Joelle Burnie

Downtown Creston Walk and Talk

After over twenty years of getting sidetracked in old newspapers, photographs, oral histories, and other documents, Creston Museum manager Tammy Bradford has learned a few things.  One of them is:  birds have a habit of showing up everywhere in the local story.  Join her for a walking tour of central Creston filled with intriguing characters, sweeping events, fascinating and more-or-less useful trivia, and, of course, colorful anecdotes about feathery things.

Visitor Centre Map

Native Bees & Mason Bee Condo Info Session

Gord will be giving detailed information on native bee pollinators and their habitat requirements with a focus on Kootenay species. 

There are over 450 species of bees in BC, and some species are adapted to very specific types of flowers. The biggest threats to native bee species are habitat loss/degradation, habitat fragmentation and pesticides. Native bees (especially Mason bees) are becoming increasingly important as pollinators since honey-bee populations have been drastically reduced by an introduced mite. Most of the agricultural crops in British Columbia depend on pollination by bees.

There will also be a Mason Bee Condo info session with a brief overview of the typical lifecycle of the popular bee genera that are conducive for taking up residence in provided domiciles. Discussions on design, timing of the year, and location preferences. There will be display cases with a microscope to zoom in on the specimens. 

Baillie-Grohman Winery Map

Flocking Together at Baillie-Grohman Estate Winery

A chance to meet new and old birding friends to discuss rare bird findings while enjoying locally produced beverages and dinner.  Entertainment during the dinner by Kiefer Davies!!  Presentation to follow by Norm Allard.  Great door prizes!!  

Baillie-Grohman Winery Map

Dinner served by the Savour Food Truck

Local wine and beer served by Baillie-Grohman Estate winery at their patio prices

Yaqan Nukiy Wetland Restoration Project Presentation by Norm Allard

The Lower Kootenay Band is undertaking a large-scale wetland restoration project. The aim is to reconnect the streams and rivers to the floodplain and return the area back as close as possible to a natural functioning state.

When:    7:00-8:00pm

Where:   Baillie-Grohman Estate Winery, 1140 – 27th Ave S

Cost:       FREE!!!

DCIM100MEDIADJI_0540.JPG

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, the majesty of Leo.  There will be a waning crescent moon that does not rise until 3:18am so the night sky will be more visible!

Baillie-Grohman Winery Map

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.

Photo Credit: Joelle Burnie

Saturday, May 13th, 2023:

6:00 to 6:30 am  Meet your birding tour leader at Baillie-Grohman Estate Winery (1140 -27th Ave S.)

Baillie-Grohman Winery Map

Lark Coffee and Muffins/Fruit donated by Pealow’s or Save-On Foods will be available.

Please bring your own cup.

Tours will leave exactly at 6:30 am so don’t be late!!

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  https://www.crestonvalleytours.com/

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.

Birding by Car to Duck Lake Tour 

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.

Lazuli Bunting Photo Credit:  Lyle Grisedale

Photo Credit: Claude Rioux

Birding at Duck Lake

Join Tina to see how Duck Lake got its name!!  This 1,500 hectare lake is known for great largemouth bass fishing but also has amazing bird viewing opportunities. During spring and fall migrations, thousands of waterfowl use the lake as a landing pad, stopping to rest and feed on their long journey.  There is a series of nesting areas and a variety of ponds and channels to view our birdlife.  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!

Ring-necked Duck, Shoveler, and Cinnamon Teal Photo Credits:  Ulrike Sliworsky

Birding the Wildlife Area Trails 

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!

Barn Swallows Photo Credit:  Karen Whitford

Birding the Wildlife Area Trails – Beginner  

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.

Yellow-headed Blackbird Photo Credit:  Lyle Grisedale

Birding by Bus Road Tour

Travel the back roads of the Wildlife Management Area from the Kuskanook harbour to the border in the comfort of Creston Valley Tour Co.’s bus with large windows for viewing. Cover several locations and micro-habitats in a short time. Optional short mini-hikes. Great potential for spotting, viewing, and studying Raptors, Waterfowl, Woodpeckers, and Songbirds. And maybe guest appearances of a few shy four-legged friends.

Red-tailed Hawk Photo Credit: Lyle Grisedale

Fox Tree Hill, Tanal Marsh, Mawson Lake Tour 

Join Lyle Grisedale at Fox Tree Hill, Tanal Marsh, and Vic Mawson Lake as we visit both forest and marsh for possible sightings of common loons, waterfowl, a heron rookery, and wide variety of song birds from Towhees to Chickadees. There will be some easy hiking as we wander through the open forest at Foxtree Hill. For the photographers in the group there will be many great photo opportunities.

Mountain Bluebird Photo Credit: Lyle Grisedale

Birding the Farmlands: Walking/Driving Tour 

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 wide expanses of farmland in the valley. This tour may include some short walks on flat terrain as well as birding right beside your car. Location of the tour will depend on where the birds are!
(Likely Kootenay River or Reclamation Roads)

Nashville Warbler Photo Credit: Gaelen Schnare

Duck Lake: Walking/Driving Tour 

See the birds in their most natural of wetland habitats. With limited access to the public, the birds own it. Sightings expected to include a good variety of waterfowl, pelicans, cormorants, raptors, plus a good selection of marsh, grassland and woodland passerines. This tour will likely go over 4 hours.

American Pelican Photo Credit:  Lyle Grisedale

Semipalmated Sandpiper Photo Credit:  Gaelen Schnare

Valley Events for Saturday, May 13th 

Discovery Centre Displays and Activities

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!  Build a bird kite or participate in the family Bird-a-thon!!

https://discovery-centre.ca/

Guided Canoe Tours at the Discovery Centre 

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!

Discovery Centre 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.

https://honeybeezen.com/

Swan Valley Honey 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.

http://www.kootenaymeadows.com/kac/index.html

Kootenay Meadows Map

“Wobbling Warbler Bus Tour”

Winery, Brewery, and Distillery

Jump on a bus with the Creston Valley Tour Co. to some of our amazing local beverage makers!!  A tour of each facility and tastings are included!

First stop is at Baillie-Grohman Estate Winery.  This is a small family-owned vineyard that focuses on cool climate varieties such as Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris & Chardonnay. Grapes of the highest quality are grown to produce elegant handcrafted wines that showcase the unique terroir of the Erickson bench. 

At Wild North Brewing Co. they believe good beer comes from honest, locally sourced ingredients and an authentic passion for the craft brewing process.

The Wynndel Craft Distilleries has been turning the best local fruit into the best local spirits since 2017. The Creston Valley is a perfect backdrop, providing a bounty of fresh ingredients to work with. They thrive on creating unique one-of-a-kind spirits that speak to the true nature of these surroundings.  

Suitable for all ages with drinks available for ages 19+!

Baillie-Grohman Winery Map

https://www.crestonvalleytours.com/

https://www.bailliegrohman.com/

https://www.wildnorthbrewery.ca/

https://wynndelcraftdistilleries.ca/

Merlin Bird ID and e-Bird Workshop 

The Merlin Bird ID is the leading app for birds around the world to identify birds that you see and hear. It is powered by eBird, which is the world’s largest database of bird sightings, sounds, and photos. You can identify birds in four ways: answer a few simple questions, upload a photo, record a singing bird, or explore birds in a region. Presently, Merlin can recognize the sounds of more than 400 species!! 

Baillie-Grohman Winery Map

Wildflower Wander up the Balancing Rock Trail 

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!

Balancing Rock Map

Flowers and Feathers for Kids 

Not just a nature walk!  Carley will show kids how the plants and animals thrive in the Creston Valley Wildlife Management area using games and interactive activities.

Saturday Evening Presentations

Birds Canada is a non-profit, charitable organization that is dedicated to increasing the understanding, appreciation, and conservation of birds in Canada. Learn about our citizen science programs, how you can get involved and their latest research projects on the Long-billed Curlew and Black Swift. There will be a screening of the short film “Of Waterfalls and Wings: Surveying for the Mysterious Black Swifts”

Kootenay River Secondary School Map

Long-billed Curlew

Photo Credit: Kris Cu

Rémi Torrenta is the British Columbia Projects Coordinator at Birds Canada. After getting his Ph.D. in forest bird ecology in Atlantic Canada, he worked as a Bird Biologist, Naturalist Guide and Field Research Scientist, before moving to the West Coast. Rémi has been involved in avian research for the past 10 years, passionate about understanding the effects of anthropogenic disturbances on bird populations and assemblages, to set conservation planning targets. Rémi has a strong conviction that conservation goals are better achieved through education and Citizen Science programs.

Kris Cu grew up in the bustling city of Manila, Philippines and often watched the Pied Fantails forage around the neighbor’s garden. Upon moving to Canada, he completed a Biological Sciences degree from Simon Fraser University and embarked on numerous science communication roles. His current role is supporting the Birds Canada team through photography, videography, social media, outreach and connecting minority communities to birds and the natural world.

Sachi Snively has a B.Sc. majoring in Biology from the University of Victoria. Growing up in the Kootenays, his interest in wildlife was sparked at an early age. As a Field Biologist he has, and continues, to contribute to a variety of projects in both BC and Alberta that range from biodiversity, species at risk, breeding bird, and fall migration surveys/monitoring.  When not in the field, Sachi spends his winters working at a Wildlife Genetics Laboratory. He is a big proponent of citizen science and public engagement as tools to broaden public awareness in order to help fuel conservation.

Sachi Snively will be presenting his work at the Tatlayoko Lake Bird Observatory which is in the western Chilcotin District of the Central Interior of British Columbia.  He will be discussing long-term migration monitoring and avian molt.

Each fall in August and September, TLBO operates a banding station to monitor migratory birds as they pass through the valley. By capturing and banding an average of one thousand five hundred birds each season, and observing thousands more, the crew of professional banders document the migration that passes through this key migratory route each year.

https://tatlayokobirds.wordpress.com/

Sunday, May 14th, 2023:

6:00 to 6:30 am  Meet your birding tour leader at Baillie-Grohman Estate Winery (1140 -27th Ave S.)

Baillie-Grohman Winery Map

Lark Coffee and Muffins/Fruit donated by Pealow’s or Save-On Foods will be available.

Tours will leave exactly at 6:30 am so don’t be late!!

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

Kayak the 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 

https://www.crestonvalleytours.com/

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.

Belted Kingfisher Photo Credit: Darlene McDowell

Tour Leader:   Daryl Calder

Birding by Car to Duck Lake Tour 

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.

Sandhill Crane Photo Credit: Tammy Bradford

Great-blue Heron Photo Credit: Karen Whitford

Birding at Duck Lake

Join Tina to see how Duck Lake got its name!!  This 1,500 hectare lake is known for great largemouth bass fishing but also has amazing bird viewing opportunities. During spring and fall migrations, thousands of waterfowl use the lake as a landing pad, stopping to rest and feed on their long journey.  There is a series of nesting areas and a variety of ponds and channels to view our birdlife.  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!

Birding the Wildlife Area Trails

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!

Photo Credit: Claude Rioux

Birding the Wildlife Area Trail – Beginner

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.

Birding by Bus Road Tour

Travel the back roads of the Wildlife Management Area from the Kuskanook harbour to the border in the comfort of Creston Valley Tour Co.’s bus with large windows for viewing. Cover several locations and micro-habitats in a short time. Optional short mini-hikes. Great potential for spotting, viewing, and studying Raptors, Waterfowl, Woodpeckers, and Songbirds. And maybe guest appearances of a few shy four-legged friends.

Fox Tree Hill, Tanal Marsh, Mawson Lake Tour 

Join Lyle Grisedale at Fox Tree Hill, Tanal Marsh, and Vic Mawson Lake as we visit both forest and marsh for possible sightings of common loons, waterfowl, a heron rookery, and wide variety of song birds from Towhees to Chickadees. There will be some easy hiking as we wander through the open forest at Foxtree Hill. For the photographers in the group there will be many great photo opportunities.

Chestnut-backed Chickadee Photo Credit: Lyle Grisedale

Birding the Farmlands: Walking/Driving Tour 

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 wide expanses of farmland in the valley. This tour may include some short walks on flat terrain as well as birding right beside your car. Location of the tour will depend on where the birds are!
(Likely Kootenay River or Reclamation Roads)

Western Meadowlark Photo Credit: Lyle Grisedale

Duck Lake: Walking/Driving Tour 

See the birds in their most natural of wetland habitats. With limited access to the public, the birds own it. Sightings expected to include a good variety of waterfowl, pelicans, cormorants, raptors, plus a good selection of marsh, grassland and woodland passerines. This tour will likely go over 4 hours.

Long-billed Dowicher Photo Credit: Gaelen Schnare

Mother’s Day Bus Tour – Winery, Brewery, and Distillery Sampling!!  **Cancelled**

Jump on a bus with the Creston Valley Tour Co. to some of our amazing local beverage makers!!  A tour of each facility and tastings are included!

First stop is at Baillie-Grohman Estate Winery.  This is a small family-owned vineyard that focuses on cool climate varieties such as Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris & Chardonnay. Grapes of the highest quality are grown to produce elegant handcrafted wines that showcase the unique terroir of the Erickson bench. 

At Wild North Brewing Co. they believe good beer comes from honest, locally sourced ingredients and an authentic passion for the craft brewing process.

The Wynndel Craft Distilleries has been turning the best local fruit into the best local spirits since 2017. The Creston Valley is a perfect backdrop, providing a bounty of fresh ingredients to work with. They thrive on creating unique one-of-a-kind spirits that speak to the true nature of these surroundings.  

Suitable for all ages with drinks available for ages 19+!

Baillie-Grohman Winery Map

Wine Down at the Baillie-Grohman Estate Winery
** No registration required **

Relax and enjoy a charchuterie platter or bring your own lunch to the patio at B.G. Estate Winery to taste the award-winning wines that are putting this wine-growing region of B.C. on the map.  Possible bird sightings in the vineyard: Western Bluebirds, Lazuli Buntings, Western Meadowlarks, and Ring-necked Pheasants.

Mother’s Day Art Workshop 

Enjoy a relaxing afternoon with step-by-step instructions to create a beautiful Mandala Dot Art project with your kids and friends!  All supplies are provided for you to complete an owl masterpiece!  No experience necessary.  

Baillie-Grohman Winery Map