Nature & Discovery.
Oshawa Second Marsh is the regional anchor for birding in Oshawa — a 137-hectare coastal wetland on Lake Ontario, designated by the Province as both a Provincially Significant Wetland and a Provincially Significant Area of Natural and Scientific Interest, with over 380 plant species and 305 bird species recorded. The adjacent McLaughlin Bay Wildlife Reserve carries about seven kilometres of viewing trail and platforms — including the multi-sensory Dogwood Trail — and Pumphouse Marsh sits along the same Waterfront Trail strand.
The brief.
The Lake Ontario coastal-wetland complex of Pumphouse Marsh, Oshawa Second Marsh, and McLaughlin Bay Wildlife Reserve runs continuously along the Waterfront Trail through the city, making a roughly five-kilometre birding strand on foot or bike. Second Marsh is the largest of the three wetlands at 137 hectares; access is on the Waterfront Trail along the west side, since the interior woodlot trail is closed for falling-tree risk from emerald ash borer.
McLaughlin Bay Wildlife Reserve includes viewing platforms and the wheelchair-accessible Dogwood Trail, designed as a multi-sensory trail for partially sighted visitors. Spring (April–May) and fall (September–October) are the peak migration windows; year-round viewing for resident waterfowl and marsh species.
3. places.
- 01
Oshawa Second Marsh
137-hectare Provincially Significant Wetland and Provincially Significant Area of Natural and Scientific Interest on Lake Ontario; over 380 plant species and 305 bird species recorded.
- 02
McLaughlin Bay Wildlife Reserve
Lakeshore reserve adjacent to Second Marsh; viewing platforms, multi-sensory Dogwood Trail, ~7 km of trails.
- 03
Pumphouse Marsh
Coastal marsh on the Waterfront Trail near downtown waterfront.
Today's read.
Cool but comfortable for layered effort · light winds · clean air.