Mawson Lake is one of the popular birding sites for the Creston Valley Bird Festival.

(Julie Kozak)

Creston Valley Bird Festival takes flight May 9 to 12

April 6, 2025 // by Kelsey Yates

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Spring migration is here – time to dust off those binoculars and birding books.

Now in its 13th year, the annual Creston Valley Bird Festival will celebrate the return of thousands of feathered friends.

With more than 300 bird species spotted in the valley, the community has become a prime birding destination. In recognition of its importance, BirdLife International designated the Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area as a nationally significant bird area in 2002, noting its role in supporting more than 100,000 birds during migration. Within management area, the 1,500-hectare Duck Lake serves as a critical stopover for species including tundra swans, greater white-fronted geese, and a wide variety of waterfowl.

Each year, more than 200 participants participate in the festival, with many visiting from around Western Canada and the U.S.

Registration opened April 1 for 40-plus events highlighting the wildlife, art and agriculture of Creston.

This year, 20 expert-led bird-watching tours will hit the most popular trails and sites such as Duck Lake, the Kootenay River farmlands and Corn Creek Marsh. Whether by foot, kayak or car, birders have a chance to see great blue herons, sandhill cranes, bluebirds, woodpeckers, grebes, numerous birds of prey and more interesting surprises. Early registration is recommended, as tour groups are kept small to ensure a quality outing.

Other festival highlights include guided canoe trips at Kootenay-Columbia Discovery Centre, a wildflower hike up Balancing Rock Trail, a photography workshop with award-winning Lindsay Donald and a night of stargazing.

And don’t worry, for those not interested in birds, there’s also tours of Kootenay Meadows Dairy, Swan Valley Honey, Baillie-Grohman Winery and Sternwheeler Craft Distillery. And on May 11, celebrate Mother’s Day with brunch, a walk down Songbird Trail and a macrame workshop.

See a full list of events and register online at crestonvalleybirds.ca. And don’t wait too long, as some events have already sold out.

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