Birds of the Creston Valley

The Creston Valley provides some of the most important waterbird habitat in British Columbia. Water level management strategies have resulted in an increase in waterfowl abundance and diversity. Large numbers of waterfowl pass through the valley during spring and fall migration: the most common migrants that pass through number over 100,000. Single day concentrations may also be spectacular, exceeding 40,000 on occaision. The marshes are critical habitat for the following species:
 
Forster's Tern - Photo by Marshall Illiff
The only breeding colony of Forster's Tern in British Columbia makes its home on Duck Lake at the north end of the WMA.
Photo copyright Marshall Illiff

Osprey at Creston Valley WMA have the highest population density in Canada.
Photo copyright Marcus Martin
Western Grebe - Photo by Jim Stasz
The Creston Valley hosts the second largest colony of Western Grebes in British Columbia.
Photo copyright Jim Stasz
Black Tern - Photo by Vic Fazio
The Black Tern breeding colony is the largest in British Columbia.
Photo copyright Vic Fazio
Wood Duck - Photo by Don DesJardin
The largest breeding population of Wood Ducks in British Columbia is located at the Creston Valley WMA.
Photo copyright Don DesJardin
Great Blue Heron - photo by Don DesJardin
The Great Blue Heron population averages about 55 pairs - the second largest colony in BC east of the Coast Range.
Photo copyright Don DesJardin
Northern Rough-winged Swallow - Photo by Hannu Hautala
The largest colonial population of Northern Rough-Winged Swallows in British Columbia is located at the Creston Valley WMA. 
Photo copyright Hannu Hautala

 The marshes also support large breeding populations of the following species:
...

Blue-winged Teal - Photo by Greg Lasley
Blue-Winged Teal
Photo copyright Greg Lasley
Cinnamon Teal - Photo by Andrew Wilson
Cinnamon Teal
Photo copyright Andrew Wilson
Mallards - Photo by Tina MacDonald
Mallards
Photo copyright Tina MacDonald
Ring-necked Duck - Photo by Vic Fazio
Ring-necked Duck
Photo copyright Vic Fazio
Rufous hummingbird - Photo by Dan True
Rufous Hummingbird
Photo copyright Dan True
Anna's Hummingbird - Photo by Don DesJardin
Anna's Hummingbird
Photo copyright Don DesJardin
Calliope Hummingbird - Photo by Dan True
Calliope Hummingbird
Photo copyright Dan True
Common Goldeneye - Photo by Hannu Hautala
Common Goldeneye
Photo copyright Hannu Hautala
 
Red-Necked Grebe - Photo by Hannu Hautala
Red-Necked Grebe
Photo copyright Hannu Hautala
Pied-bill Grebe - Photo by Vic Fazio
Pied-bill Grebe
Photo copyright Vic Fazio
 

Some of our other regular residents and visitors include:


Barn Swallow - Photo by Marcus Martin
Barn Swallow 
Photo copyright Marcus Martin		 Cliff Swallow - Photo by Kent Nickell
Cliff Swallow 
Photo copyright Kent Nickell
 Tree Swallow - Photo by Paul Conover
Tree Swallow 
Photo copyright Paul Conover
Tundra Swan - Photo by Hannu Hautala
Tundra Swan
Photo copyright Hannu Hautala
Yellow-headed Blackbird - Photo copyright Dave Rintoul
Yellow-headed 
Blackbird 
Photo copyright David Rintoul		 Winter Wren - Photo by Marcus Martin
Winter Wren 
Photo copyright Marcus Martin		 Pileated Woodpecker - Photo by Chan Robbins
Pileated Woodpecker 
Photo copyright Chan Robbins		 Chestnut-Backed Chickadee - Photo by Jim Stasz
Chestnut-Backed Chickadee 
Photo copyright Jim Stasz
Canvasback - Photo copyright Don DesJardin
Canvasback 
Photo copyright Don DesJardin		 Eastern Kingbird - Photo by Eric Toorman
Eastern Kingbird 
Photo copyright Erik Toorman		 Black-headed Grosbeak - Photo by Paul Conover
Black-headed Grosbeak
Photo copyright Paul Conover		 Killdeer - Photo by Andrew Wilson
Killdeer 
Photo copyright Andrew Wilson

Rare and/or endangered visitors include:


Black-chinned Hummingbird - Photo by Dan True
Black-chinned Hummingbird 
Photo copyright Dan True		 Short-eared Owl - Photo by Andrew Wilson
Short-eared Owl 
Photo copyright Andrew Wilson		 Bald Eagle - Photo copyright Juhanni Kyyro
Bald Eagle 
Photo copyright Juhanni Kyyro		 American Avocet - Photo copyright by Andrew Wilson
American Avocet 
Photo copyright by Andrew Wilson

A complete checklist of the Birds of the Creston Valley, indicating seasonal abundance, can be purchased at the Wildlife Centre. Make sure you buy one - it's a key fundraiser to support the birds!

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