THE wildlife haven at Brownsea is one of the few places left in Britain where red squirrels live.

These rare and beautiful animals are the most important pine-feeding creatures on the island and they benefit from having no competing grey squirrels who can make life difficult for them.

The red squirrels, who are most active in spring and autumn, can be found in all the wooded areas of the island. Spotting them can be difficult as they are shy, but if you do manage to see one, it’s a true delight.

Brownsea is also home to Sika deer. Introduced from Japan in 1896, the whole population died or swam to the mainland in 1934 when a terrible fire swept over the island. Rather touchingly, they swam back in the 1970s and have grown in numbers since then.

You can expect to see a wonderful range of birds such as cormorants, oystercatchers, black backed and black headed gulls, shellducks, mallard and Canada geese. Grey herons and little egrets also regularly roost and feed on the lagoon. The gorse and birch on the south-facing slopes make the ideal home for dunnocks, chaffinches and wrens. The pines attract coal tits, goldcrests, treecr-eepers and nuth-atches with the occasional s-parrowhawk and kestrel nesting in the older trees.

Numerous other seasonal birds come and go on the island too.

Lizards, beetles, heathland insects and a wide range of seashore plants such as sea thrift, frosted orache and sticky groundsel add to the show.

Brownsea really is the perfect place to enjoy the changing seasons, get some fresh air, unwind and enjoy the delights of a truly unique location.

From Monday, September 26 until Friday, October 21 Oct, between 11.30am and 2pm, rangers and volunteers on the island will be leading free guided walks to help visitors have a better chance of seeing one of these hard-to-spot creatures.

Emma Stokes, visitor services manager at Brownsea said: “Autumn is very special on Brownsea. I’d really urge people to come and see our unique wildlife and enjoy what we have to offer. Don’t forget you can reward your exertions with a snack or meal in our restaurant.”

Check out nationaltrust.org.uk/freshair for regular updates on red squirrel spotting on Brownsea Island.