The summer months have been busy here in the wetlands and seem to go by so fast! June was warm and the temperatures increased in the Creston Valley for humans, domestic animals, and wildlife. We did receive some rain here and there, which resulted in beautiful vegetation throughout the valley. The colours of the summer blossoms were spectacular!
At the beginning of June, we discovered some structural damage in the main supporting posts of the observation tower, south of the Kootenay-Columbia Discovery Centre in the Corn Creek Marsh. After an engineer inspection was conducted, we had to close the access to the tower for safety reasons. We are working on a repair solution and will hopefully re-open the tower as soon as repairs can be completed. On a positive note, the north observation tower, north of the highway, is in good condition! Thank you for your understanding and patience on this, and we will update the public once we have more details!
July also brought a mix of warm weather and some welcomed moisture. It seems the berry crops are having a bumper year, wild and cultivated! This is a bonus for wildlife and people alike. Many species will take advantage of this food source, spanning from the valley bottoms to the alpine. Enjoy the abundance, but also be aware that you could encounter wildlife around these berry patches, so be aware of your surroundings while munching away and remember to share :)
Summer research projects, maintenance, and monitouring surveys have been taking place within the CVWMA this summer including leopard frog telemetry work, bat guano collection, night-time sound recordings throughout the wetlands, swallow nest surveys, and more. We will bring more details of what staff have been up to in the coming eNewsletters, as well as more detailed reports in the Wetlander to be published in the winter of 2025 so stay tuned.
Have fun out there!
Alyson Brda
Office Administrator, CVWMA
Commorant Colony Update
Article by: Marc-Andre Beaucher, Head of Conservation Programs CVWMA
Great Blue Heron nestlings keeping an eye on us!
We conducted our annual Double-crested Cormorant survey at the Leach Lake rookery on June 24th. In the coming months, we will be counting the active nests from imagery taken from a drone and determine approximately how many pairs nested. Upon our arrival on Tuesday morning, a Bald Eagle was soaring above the rookery and the birds were relatively agitated; luckily, the eagle soared away as we stepped out of our vehicles. During the survey, we noted a significant number of Turkey Vultures flying by and we’re not sure why…it may be that the warm smell of the cormorant guano attracts them as the day temperature warms up. Several Great Blue Heron nests with chicks were also visible. Chicks of both species appeared further developed this year when compared to previous year; the cormorants and herons did arrived very early in April this year!
Adult with two nestlings.
Adult (left) with six nestlings.
Turkey Vulture observed during the survey.
Barn Swallow Resort
Article by: Marc-Andre Beaucher, Head of Conservation Programs CVWMA
We are happy to report that a pair of Barn Swallows has readily adopted CVWMA’s new “Barn Swallow Resort” that was constructed at the south end of the Duck Lake Nesting Area last fall. The pair laid five eggs at the beginning of June and they were very alive on June 24th during a nest check – we’re hoping that the pair will re-nest after rearing this first brood! Barn Swallows are known to investigate potential nesting site in late summer before migrating south – the “resort” was built well after the Barn Swallows left the Creston Valley on their southern migration, it’s always fascinating to see that birds can be very flexible in their habits.
Julia and Ivy conducting a nest check on June 5th, 2025, and three of the five eggs that were laid by June 5th, 2025.
Barn Swallow nestlings bunched up in the nest, June 24th, 2025, and Barn Swallow eggshell
(hatched) found on the ground below the nest.
CVWMA is a federally registered Charity. Donate Now,though our website, and an official receipt will be issued to you for tax purposes.
The Winter 2024/2025 Wetlander newsletter is now available for viewing. Check out the articles and photos of the Northern Leopard Frogs, Waterfowl banding, research in the CVWMA and much more!
