Island wildlife haven reopens to visitors

A popular wildlife haven is reopening to visitors for the new season this weekend.

Brownsea Island in Poole Harbour will welcome people back from Saturday following several months of conservation and maintenance work.

The National Trust site is one of the south of England's most important refuges for red squirrels and is also home to a lagoon that supports a wide variety of birdlife.

Visitors can reach the island by ferry from Poole Quay, with trails, wildlife-spotting areas and café facilities available once the new season begins.

Its lagoon is also an important habitat for birds, attracting species including terns, avocets and oystercatchers.

The National Trust said visitors returning this year will also be able to make use of a new all-terrain wheelchair designed to improve access across the island.

Brownsea Island is the largest of the islands in Poole Harbour and covers about 500 acres of woodland, heathland and wetlands.

The visitor season on typically runs through to autumn.

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