Bird lovers, biologists, naturalists and photographers are flocking to Creston for the third annual Creston Valley Bird Fest from May 8-10.
The Creston Valley Bird Fest is a celebration of the art, the agriculture, and the birds of the Creston Valley. Birding expeditions, presentations, photography workshops and art displays are all part of the three-day festival.
The festival begins Friday with liquid refreshments and a photography display, followed by a buffet with presentations on great blue herons and bats. Buses then take people to three different locations: the Wildlife Interpretation Centre to learn more about bats, the Duck Lake dike for an evening stroll with Rocky Mountain naturalists Daryl Calder and Peter Davidson, and to Fox Tree Hill to watch hummingbirds.
Early morning guided birding tours to a variety of habitats are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday. This may be your opportunity to see northern orioles, mountain bluebirds, avocets, cinnamon teals, terns, Cooper’s hawks, wood ducks and so many more. With 7,000 hectares of protected wetland and over 300 bird species recorded, the Creston Valley is where the birds are.
The Saturday lunch, catered by the Real Food Café, will sport two more presentations: “Birds of Africa” by Gary Davidson and “Endangered Species” by Dr. Rick Page, a member of the Committee for the Status of Endangered Wildlife. On Saturday afternoon, enjoy tours to four art studios, the organic Kootenay Meadows dairy farm and the Swan Valley Honey Farm, and learn about backyard herbs from Rachel Beck. Children’s events and canoe tours are at the wildlife centre.
Saturday concludes with keynote speaker Dick Cannings — author of 10 books and one of the best authorities on B.C. birds.
Birding tours continue on Sunday with bag lunches available.
Over 60 people have registered to date. Some of the limited events are nearly full including “Birding by Bus” and Jim Lawrence’s photography workshop.
For more information and to register online, visit www.crestonvalleybirds.ca or register in person at the College of the Rockies.
—CRESTON VALLEY BIRD FEST