New Year’s Day Walk – 2024
Trip Report by Stephen Partington
A mass of people gathered at Garry Point around 10 am to embark upon the 2024 incarnation of the now legendary, New Year’s Day Walk, led by Kelly Sekhon. Among the more than thirty participants were faces old & new, members old, new & prospective, plus guests.
The day’s weather was benignly warm with little wind. Fog infrequently nudged a cloud cover over the walkers but otherwise the sun shone with views extending westward to Vancouver Island and up Howe Sound to the north. It was a jovial crowd more intent on conversation than birding or botanizing.
On the flower front a gorgeous ‘yellow mustard’ bloomed merrily on the sandy beach and along the riprap, while occasional flowers could be spotted on the Scotch brooms.
An avian spectacle captured everyone’s attention when hundreds of Snow geese staged a flyover show during the first leg of the walk. A brief scanning of earthbound birds ensued that revealed some other west coast overwintering splendors including a baker’s dozen of Trumpeter Swans, some Great Blue Herons and offshore flocks of waterfowl.
The dike was busy but uncrowded, so walking was generally most comfortable. Good relaxed views were had of a Cooper’s hawk, Eurasian widgeon and a pair of Hooded Mergansers.


We only managed to walk around Garry Point Park, and about a kilometre or so along the dyke. More than half of the group turned back to go for lunch at a sea food restaurant in Steveston.
It was a splendid start for 2024!