Brownsea Island tips

[htcdude]

Hi all,

Next Monday or Tuesday my wife and I will probably be visiting Brownsea Island. Anything in particular I might see? Or any places I should visit?

My wildlife interests are quite broad (my wife's not however, so something enjoyable for us both would be good)

Thanks,

Nige

[RobinP]

Sika Deer & Red Squirrels!

The nature reserve on the seafront is good for birds too.

Robin

[Adam Cheeseman]

Take plenty of money cos it ain't cheap. You have to pay to get to the island. Then you have to pay to 'enter' the island and pay again if you want to go into the Red Squirrel feeding area and the nature reserve area.

Red Squirrels can be quite easy sitting in the pine trees outside of the official feeding area and Golden Pheasants can be seen with a bit patience as they wander around the Rhododendrons. Good number of waders and other coastal birds can bee seen around the lagoon area.

Cheers,

Adam

[Tobyh]

Hi,

I visited a bit later in the year (June) last year and it was a lovely day out.

If you want to see red squirrels then look to the trees, listen for little bits of whatever they are eating falling through the canopy, gives them away quite well. I had a camera with me and only managed one shot as they didn't tend to come down low.

On the Wildlife Trust side they have hides overlooking the lagoon and one in particular was very close to nesting turns and BH Gulls - great views and excellent photos of the hatchlings. It'll be a little early for that but still should get great views of the birds.

Be prepared for a bit of a walk too!

TobyH

[htcdude]

Thanks guys!

Walking won't be a problem as we won't have the littl'un with us

Will pop to the bank and empty my account before going then, I don't know if we'll go there often so will try and see as much as possible, the Golden Pheasants sound good though! Where exactly on the island would I find them?

Thanks,

Nige

[Adam Cheeseman]

I saw them in the woodland between the dockside and the Squirrel feeding area.

Cheers,

Adam

[htcdude]

Great thanks.

I've just remembered (not sure how I forgot) that we are National Trust members, so would we still need to pay for the reserve or the ferry?

Nige

[RobinP]

You should find all you need to know here:

National Trust | Brownsea Island

The ferry is chargeable, as is the nature reserve but I think the rest is free to members.

Robin

[htcdude]

Thanks guys, had a cracking time and got myself 2 new birds species, 2 mammals and some new insects

Will have to go back there without the missus sometime

Nige

[RobinP]

Nige

What were the birds and mammals?

Cheers

Robin