Brownsea Island ‘25

Written By Richard Burn

I spent three days and two nights on Brownsea Island which was an incredible experience being able to stay in a bell tent on the island. I wanted to see the Red Squirrels, do some bird hide photography in the lagoon and see all the other wildlife living on the island.

Sightings / Hearings

  • Treecreeper

  • Oystercatcher

  • Little Egret

  • Sandwich Tern

  • Common Tern

  • Raven

  • Shelduck

  • Red Squirrel

  • Sika Deer

  • Mistle Thrush

  • Greater Spotted Woodpecker

  • Buzzard

  • Cormorant

  • Black-Tailed Godwit

  • Nuthatch

  • Redshank

  • Black-Headed Gull

  • Spoonbill

  • Nightjar (call only)

  • Shoveler

The unexpected highlight of the trip was getting to hear the Nightjar singing at about 10.30pm at night, which was totally unexpected. Brownsea can be busy between 08:00 and 17:00, as this is the time that the ferry runs to bring day trippers over. If you are sleeping over on the island though you can get the place almost to yourself outside these times.

Richard Burn
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