Belated Happy New Year to our readers and thank you for your continued interest and support! 2026 started off busy for our staff, January flew by and we are now well into February. The quiet peace of the wetlands and the Black-capped Chickadees and Chestnut-backed Chickadees greeted us this morning as we arrive to the CVWMA office on Wildlife Road with the sun shining. Quite a change from a few days ago when fog wrapped around our administration office and the wetlands below in Corn Creek Marsh and beyond. On my way to work, I observed many elk resting and feeding on the slightly green grass in the valley bottom. Seeing a heard of elk in this area driving west along the highway from Creston is practically a daily occurrence in the winter here, and I enjoy being able to watch the movements and habits of these beautiful beasts. Elk are quite social animals, and these large herds can be made up of generally 2 different groups; cows, calves and yearlings usually stick together and stay apart from the other group of bulls except during the mating period in the fall. There are 2 subspecies of elk that reside in BC, the Rocky Mountain elk, and the Roosevelt elk, but the Rocky Mountain elk is the species here in the Kootenays. These animals are not widspread throughout BC, so we are fortunate to have them living and breeding in this part of the province.
The habitat restoration and wildfire mitigation work has continued in 2026 on the Creston Mountain area around the CVWMA Administration office. You may have noticed some fires burning in the last couple weeks as the crew works to clear and burn more of the woody vegetation. This is a continuation of the work started last year, and if you missed it, you can read the all the interesting details of this project in Julia Kaczkowski’s article included in the Winter 2025/2026 Wetlanderpublication we have available on our website or clicking here(Publications - Wetlander Newsletters - Winter 2025/26). The landscape has dramatically changed visually on this rocky slope, and it is worth stopping to take a look while you drive along the highway! If you are hiking the local Balancing Rock Trail, you can also see some of the results on foot.
We have included some local happenings and upcoming events below in this eNews. Get your binoculars out!
Kindly,
Alyson Brda
Office Administrator, CVWMA
Christmas Bird Count 2025 in Creston
During the holiday season, birders join in North America's longest running citizen-based science project, the annual Christmas Bird Count (CBC), which is reported to have started in 1900! The CBC is delivered in Canada by Birds Canada, in partnership with National Audubon Society.
Local volunteers participated in the count and reported 76 species in the Creston Valley! (Noted by Ulrike Sliworsky, Creston Christmas Bird Count Compiler and Coordinator - in her article in the Creston Valley Advance) Large flocks of American Robins were observed with a total count of 622! Thanks to the Creston Valley Birds group, locals could gather and find out details and participate in this fun event. Great going folks!
The full local news article with all the species and numbers counted is available to read on the Creston Valley Advance online news. (crestonvalleyadvance.ca)
The Great Backyard Bird Count of 2026 is almost here!
Are you joining in the fun this week? Each year people take part in a global Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) and you can get involved as well! This year the 4-day event is held Feb 13th - 16th, 2026. Taking a few minutes during the day to view your surroundings, and notice the birds you can see and hear is so rewarding, and fun! People of all ages can take part in this count, whether it's for science or for your personal enjoyment and perhaps to sharpen your bird identification skills, you can contribute your sightings details to a global data base to help scientists better understand and protect birds around the world.
Whether you are using your binoculars and trusty bird book, or new-fangled apps on your phone, the data is very important. Mobile platforms are available to help identify and enter data such as Merlin Bird ID and eBird mobile. You can research these platforms online, or a great source of information is available on the Cornell Lab of Ornithology website. This is a great resource for all things related to the GBBC. All the steps on how to participate in the count are included, as well as bird checklists, maps of community birding events, and online live events to join, just to name a few. We have included the link below for readers to check out.
Yes, it's the end of January, but the Creston Valley Bird Festival is already on the minds of many folks near and far!
The Fest will be held May 8 - 11th, 2026 this year. A schedule of events and details has now been posted on the Wildsight Creston Valley Website. Check out the link below if you are interested in attending and taking part in the fun!
CVWMA is a federally registered Charity.Donate Now,though our website, and an official receipt will be issued to you for tax purposes.
THANK YOU to all who support CVWMA, and believing in our mission to manage the Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area for conservation and natural species diversity through active habitat and wildlife management, research and education!
