About the reserve

Brownsea Island is a very special place. It is one of the few places left in the UK where you can catch a glimpse of a red squirrel. We estimate that 250 of these iconic creatures live on the island and are often seen scampering up and down the trees gathering and devouring nuts. If you have adopted one of these beautiful and playful creatures from Dorset Wildlife Trust, this is the chance to see them for yourself – a wonderfully comical sight in autumn when they busily start caching food for the winter ahead, searching out just the right spot to hide them in- a process that can take some time! Read more about our exciting Wild Brownsea project which has been successful in attracting more wildlife and people to Brownsea.

And it’s not just the red squirrels that the nature detectives in the family will be able to spot – the lagoon plays a vital role in providing a safe haven for overwintering birds including avocets, black-tailed godwits and large numbers of wildfowl. In winter it’s also possible see huge groups of spoonbills. These tall white birds can be seen swishing their spoon-shaped bills through the water as they feed. 

In the summer, the lagoon bird hides are a great place to watch common terns, sandwich terns and gulls. The reedbeds and alder carr are home to water voles, sika deer, kingfishers and water rails.

Brownsea Island was saved for wildlife and people to enjoy in 1962 when the National Trust took ownership and leased the northern part to Dorset Wildlife Trust. Since then we have worked in partnership to protect the habitats of rare and threatened wildlife, which find sanctuary in its woods, reedbeds and lagoon. Take a walk through the woods following the footpaths to see glorious views across Poole Harbour.

Our Wildlife and Wetland Centre is situated in the middle of the reserve. Although it is currently under refurbishment, you are welcome to bring a picnic and sit on the benches in the sun, watching birds and squirrels nibbling seeds from the nearby feeders. 

You can read more about Brownsea Island's place in the Purbeck National Nature Reserve here.