The All New Lookout on Brownsea Island
Brownsea Island is the largest island in Poole Harbour and is one of the most bio-diverse locations in the UK.
Isaac and Eliza are both very lucky to be part of the Young Conservationists on the island, heading over once a month to complete conservation tasks such as cutting down trees, making fences, beach cleans and prepping the tern islands on the lagoon before the nesting season.
Last week, we were invited to Brownsea Island for a preview of their brand new lookout, which overlooks the lagoon, which is nationally and internationally important as it welcomes a whole host of wetland bird species including Black-tailed Godwit, Shelduck, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Redshank and Dunlin, to name just a few.
Sadly, the weather didn’t play ball, but that doesn’t stop the wildlife from making an appearance and we spotted a whole host of wetland bird species, including a fleeting glimpse of a kingfisher.
The building itself is situated in the trees and is designed to “age gracefully into the natural surroundings” and not disturb wildlife and is packed full of easy to read facts and figures which appeals to all ages.
The side facing the lagoon features a massive window, which stretches the width of the building, with a fabulous view over the lagoon, over to Sandbanks and Lilliput in the distance.
The Lookout was commissioned as part of the Dorset Wildlife Trust Wild Brownsea project developed in partnership with the National Trust.
Brownsea Island is closed to visitors over the winter months, but the conservation projects continue and as part of our visit, we got to take part in creating some dead hedging, which helps to provide hiding places and nesting habitats for all sorts of creatures.
Isaac and Eliza have made them before, but this was Sebby’s first time and he loved getting stuck in, cutting off twigs and lining them up to create the hedge – another future Young Conservationist?
Once we had finished our work, we then headed to the next activity, making bird feeders from pine cones.
This was messy, but lots of fun – simply tie some string to one end, cover the pine cone in lard and then roll the pine cone in the bird seed and press the seed into the lard so it sticks.
We then wrapped them in foil to bring home. The birds love them, but sadly the squirrels do too and have stolen two of them already!!
Our next activity was leaf bashing, which involves bashing leaves between cotton or even paper, allowing the natural dyes to imprint on the material, creating lovely patterns.
We did also attempt to explore some of Brownsea to try and spot some of their infamous red squirrels, however, I think they were all very sensibly hiding from the wind and rain.
Brownsea Island re-opens for visitors on 15th March and entry is free for National Trust members, with the ferry costing from £14.50 for adults and £6 for children.
There are lots of activities and trails to do on the island throughout the year, or you can choose to explore at your own pace. Keep an eye on the NTBrownsea Facebook page for more details. We have lots of fond memories and the kids still love it now, even as teenagers.
Disclaimer: We were guests of Dorset Wildlife Trust, all thoughts and opinions are our own
