Brownsea Island is the largest of eight islands in Poole Harbour in the county of Dorset, England. The island is owned by the National Trust. Much of the island is open to the public and includes areas of woodland and heath with a wide variety of wildlife, together with cliff top views across Poole Harbour and the Isle of Purbeck.
Situated in Poole, approximately 17 kms from Bournemouth. Brownsea Island is an island of heath & woodland, miles of woodland walks and open glades. Few places can boast such a wide variety of habitats for wildlife. It is a haven for peacocks, terns, visiting waders and wild fowl
The island is one of the few places in southern England where indigenous red squirrels survive, largely because non-native grey squirrels have never been introduced to the island. Brownsea also has a small ornamental population of peacocks. The island has a heronry, in which both Grey Heron and Little Egret nest.
There is a large population of non-native sika deer on the island. In the past the numbers have been higher than the island can sustain and have overgrazed. To try and limit damage to trees and other vegetation by deer, areas of the island have been fenced off to provide areas of undamaged woodland to allow other species such as red squirrels to thrive.
Peaceful island of woodland and heath with a wide variety of wildlife, famous for being the birthplace of Scouting and Guiding.
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