Brownsea Island: Difference between revisions

The entire island is owned by the National Trust, including most of the buildings on the island (which are situated near the small dock/wharf). However several buildings and parts of the island are leased or managed by third parties. The northern portion of the island is a [[Nature Reserve]] managed by [[Dorset Wildlife Trust]] and an important [[habitat (ecology)|habitat]] for [[birds]]; this part of the island has limited public access. A small portion to the south-east of the island, along with the castle, is leased to the [[John Lewis Partnership]] for use as a holiday home for partners, and is not open to the public.

Brownsea island has built up on a bare [[sand]] and mud bank deposited in the shallow harbour. [[Ecological succession]] has taken place on the island to create topsoil able to support ecosystems.

The nature reserve on the island is leased from the National Trust by [[Dorset Wildlife Trust]] and includes a brackish [[lagoon]] and area of woodland. Other [[ecosystem]]s on the island include [[saltmarsh]], [[reedbed]], two freshwater lakes, [[alder carr]], [[coniferous woodland]], [[deciduous woodland]] and [[arboretum]]. In the past [[invasive species]] such as [[rhododendrons]], also non-native, were introduced to the island but the trusts have cleared many areas. The entire island is designated a [[Site of Special Scientific Interest]].  

The island is one of the few places in southern England where indigenous [[red squirrel]]s survive, largely because non-native [[grey squirrel]]s have never been introduced to the island. Brownsea also has a small ornamental population of [[peafowl|peacocks]]. The island has a [[heronry]], in which both [[Grey Heron]] and [[Little Egret]] nest.

There is a large population of non-native [[sika deer]] on the island. In the past the numbers have been higher than the island can sustain and have overgrazed. To try and limit damage to trees and other vegetation by deer, areas of the island have been fenced off to provide areas of undamaged woodland to allow other species such as red squirrels to thrive.

Brownsea Island's story is first recorded in the 7th century, when a [[hermit]] living on the island lit beacons to guide boats into the harbour. In 1015 [[King Canute]] landed on the island before attempted invasions at nearby [[Wareham, Dorset|Wareham]] and [[Hamworthy]] (Poole).

The island was fortified by [[Henry VIII of England|Henry VIII]], and the [[castle]] he built became a parliamentary stronghold in the [[English civil war]]. After electricity was installed at the end of the 19th century the castle caught fire and was only partially rebuilt.  

In the Second World War lights were placed on the island at night to divert the attention of bombers away from the nearby conurbation of Poole and Bournemouth, army camps on the [[Purbecks]] and the important naval base on the [[Isle of Portland]]. There are many bomb craters on the island that are havens for rare wildlife.

Since 1964 the island has been host to the [[Brownsea Open Air Theatre]], annually performing the works of [[William Shakespeare]].

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[[fr:Camp de Brownsea]]

[[pt:Ilha de Brownsea]]