Brownsea Island is literally teeming with wildlife - with a great range of inhabitants both common and rare. Brownsea is a haven for birds, insects, mammals and even fungi so there is never a dull moment on the island.
Here's our rundown of some of the Brownsea beasts...
Red squirrels
No article about Brownsea Island could ignore the Island's most famous residents - the red squirrels.
The best time to spot these elusive chaps is on a warm and dry day - so it might prove tricky for the Autumnwatch team to catch them on camera!
Sika deer
Britain's second largest deer were introduced to the island from Japan in 1896, where they quickly discovered that they could swim across the water to the Isle of Purbeck, where they soon established new herds.
Green woodpecker
Ants are a popular meal for the Island's green woodpeckers, and so are often found foraging on green open spaces.
Goldcrests
From the giant deers to one of Europe's smallest birds - the goldcrest. These tiny birds have a distinctive cry and a yellow stripe on their heads.
Bats
There are a whopping eleven different varieties of bats living on Brownsea. These guys are most active after dusk when they feast on the island's many insects.
Wood ants
Up to half a million ants can live in a colony. The nests are made from fallen pine needles, and below the surface, there is an intricate maze of underground tunnels.
Have you spotted any wildlife in your own garden this autumn?
|
