A visit to Second Marsh in Oshawa is great at any time of the year, but is especially rewarding for birdwatchers. On a recent visit to the protected wetland, Bob and I were thrilled to see, not one, but many Baltimore Orioles (Icterus galbula). At our own home in Toronto, we are lucky to see a Baltimore Oriole once every few years. This May, we had a male sitting on our arbour early one morning.
![Baltimore Orioles Sighted at Second Marsh – Oshawa Second Marsh Sign - Oshawa - Ontario](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/60/602063/baltimore-orioles-sighted-at-second-marsh-osh-L-GaD3gf.jpeg)
It is possible to experience a variety of habitats at Second Marsh including wetlands, meadows, forest, swamp, marsh and shoreline.
![Baltimore Orioles Sighted at Second Marsh – Oshawa Second Marsh Trail Map - Oshawa - Ontario](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/60/602063/baltimore-orioles-sighted-at-second-marsh-osh-L-vDKPL4.jpeg)
It was an unusually hot afternoon in early May when we set out upon the system of trails and boardwalks that crisscross Second Marsh Wildlife Area and McLaughlin Bay Wildlife Reserve, two adjacent conservation areas. Especially helpful to birdwatchers are viewing decks that provide panoramic views of the wetland. Also, interpretive signs along the trails give visitors input on plant and animal life.
![Baltimore Orioles Sighted at Second Marsh – Oshawa Second Marsh - Oshawa - Ontario](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/60/602063/baltimore-orioles-sighted-at-second-marsh-osh-L-mhgB2Z.jpeg)
Bob and I could hear the Baltimore Orioles long before we saw them. All along the Marshland Trail, the air echoed with their song.
![Baltimore Orioles Sighted at Second Marsh – Oshawa Baltimore Oriole female in thicket - Second Marsh - Oshawa - Ontario](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/60/602063/baltimore-orioles-sighted-at-second-marsh-osh-L-P_7bBJ.jpeg)
Deep in a thicket, I spotted a splash of colour, but it took me several minutes to realize that I was looking at an oriole.
![Baltimore Orioles Sighted at Second Marsh – Oshawa Baltimore Oriole female in thicket - Second Marsh - Oshawa - Ontario](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/60/602063/baltimore-orioles-sighted-at-second-marsh-osh-L-Z9q0fg.jpeg)
![Baltimore Orioles Sighted at Second Marsh – Oshawa Baltimore Oriole female, sticks out tongue - Second Marsh - Oshawa - Ontario](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/60/602063/baltimore-orioles-sighted-at-second-marsh-osh-L-53E8WY.jpeg)
Being a female, the orange plumage was more subdued than that of a male. She busied herself for several minutes in amongst the thin branches, preening her feathers and hopping about.
![Baltimore Orioles Sighted at Second Marsh – Oshawa Baltimore Oriole female, back - Second Marsh - Oshawa - Ontario](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/60/602063/baltimore-orioles-sighted-at-second-marsh-osh-L-a92nxS.jpeg)
In this photo, the greyish plumage on the head and back is clearly visible.
![Baltimore Orioles Sighted at Second Marsh – Oshawa Baltimore Oriole, female - in spruce tree - Second Marsh - Oshawa - Ontario](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/60/602063/baltimore-orioles-sighted-at-second-marsh-osh-L-iwfLHP.jpeg)
A passing cyclist alarmed the Baltimore Oriole, so she took flight and headed into a patch of spruce trees a short distance away. Not to be deterred, I crossed the trail and stumbled through knee-deep grasses in search of the bird. It wasn’t long before I caught sight of her orange-yellow feathers through the masses of newly-formed spruce cones.
![Baltimore Orioles Sighted at Second Marsh – Oshawa Baltimore Oriole female eating in spruce tree - Second Marsh - Oshawa - Ontario](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/60/602063/baltimore-orioles-sighted-at-second-marsh-osh-L-hL7ZH5.jpeg)
The oriole seemed to favour the top of the spruce tree where she deliberately reaped either insects or tender new growth. I know in my own backyard that the Baltimore Oriole was eating the flower buds on my apple tree.
http://youtu.be/UCRMueT5ME8
![Baltimore Orioles Sighted at Second Marsh – Oshawa Baltimore Oriole male hiding in maple tree - Second Marsh - Oshawa - Ontario](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/60/602063/baltimore-orioles-sighted-at-second-marsh-osh-L-O1Ps8E.jpeg)
As I said, the cheerful song of the Baltimore Orioles filled the air, and it wasn’t long before a male darted across the sky and landed in a neighbouring maple tree. His brilliant flaming breast stood out starkly against the fresh and vibrant green leaves.
![Baltimore Orioles Sighted at Second Marsh – Oshawa Wetland - Flank Trail - Second Marsh - Oshawa - Ontario](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/60/602063/baltimore-orioles-sighted-at-second-marsh-osh-L-wbxXCC.jpeg)
Bob and I continued along the Marshland Trail towards an apparent Y in the trail. I was occupied trying to snap a photo of a kinglet in a very dense bush, while Bob explored a short distance ahead on the Flank Trail. He came running to alert me of 2 more orioles, but I was too late to to catch sight of them.
![Baltimore Orioles Sighted at Second Marsh – Oshawa Afternoon sunshine - Cool Hollow Trail - Second Marsh - Oshawa - Ontario](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/60/602063/baltimore-orioles-sighted-at-second-marsh-osh-L-3yTNOt.jpeg)
It was along the Cool Hollow Trail where Bob and I caught up with another male Baltimore Oriole.
![Baltimore Orioles Sighted at Second Marsh – Oshawa Baltimore Oriole male, ready to eat - Second Marsh - Oshawa - Ontario](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/60/602063/baltimore-orioles-sighted-at-second-marsh-osh-L-88ekik.jpeg)
The oriole was hopping about from one limb to another there in the maple tree,
![Baltimore Orioles Sighted at Second Marsh – Oshawa Baltimore Oriole male, eating - Second Marsh - Oshawa - Ontario](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/60/602063/baltimore-orioles-sighted-at-second-marsh-osh-L-Y7fRa8.jpeg)
and like the female at the top of the spruce tree, this one seemed to be gleaning something to eat from amongst the maple keys.
![Baltimore Orioles Sighted at Second Marsh – Oshawa Baltimore Oriole male, sings - Second Marsh - Oshawa - Ontario](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/60/602063/baltimore-orioles-sighted-at-second-marsh-osh-L-gg_OPT.jpeg)
The male Oriole’s sleek black head against the blue sky made a striking image as he burst into song.
![Baltimore Orioles Sighted at Second Marsh – Oshawa Baltimore Oriole male in tamarack tree - Second Marsh - Oshawa - Ontario](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/60/602063/baltimore-orioles-sighted-at-second-marsh-osh-L-qgDgek.jpeg)
Betwixt the remains of an old farm property, the environs of the Cool Hollow Trail and the openness at the edge of the marsh, there were countless Baltiimore Orioles making the area their home. There was no telling how many we saw, but they seemed to be everywhere.
![Baltimore Orioles Sighted at Second Marsh – Oshawa Shady Glen - Second Marsh - Oshawa - Ontario](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/60/602063/baltimore-orioles-sighted-at-second-marsh-osh-L-rhiXfo.jpeg)
When Bob and I reached the end of the Marshland Trail, it seemed that we had left the orioles behind. Ghost Bush Road, another cleverly-named trail, traverses a wet forest of primarily mature deciduous trees. We scanned the canopy but saw no further sign of Baltimore Orioles. But we had had a good day!
Frame To Frame – Bob & Jean