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CRESTON, B.C. - A new self-drive birding tour, recently launched by wildlife groups and tourism promoters, includes more than 20 birdwatching areas in British Columbia and neighbouring U.S. states.

The tour, called the Two Nation Birding Vacation, begins at the Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area, 11 kilometres west of Creston in southeastern B.C., then heads through the Kootenay Rockies region, turns south into Idaho and Washington and finishes back in Creston - a distance of more than 500 kilometres.

A variety of ecosystems are part of the tour, from rolling grasslands and mountain peaks to lush valleys, wetlands and forests.

To explore the entire route, operators suggest taking at least two weeks.

The largest communities along the way include Nelson, Castlegar and Trail in B.C. and Sandpoint in Idaho. Besides birdwatching, there's hiking, whitewater rafting, lake kayaking, golf and fishing.

The Canadian Rockies International Airport, near Cranbrook, is a 1 1/2-hour drive from Creston.

A tour booklet, map and bird species checklist is available at www.twonationbirdingvacation.com.