A fine day could not be wasted and with Brownsea Island offering guided walks of their beautiful island it was off on the Brownsea ferry with their first (130 seater) boat of the day at 10.15 am.
The walks are for one week only this year and finish on Sunday 7th October. Make a booking now if you are in time on 01202 707744.
In the care of Pier Warden Neil Johnson we were to be educated in the life cycle of the Brownsea population of red squirrels and during the course of our one hour guided walk through the woods we were able to observe a total of 47 squirrels! We also learnt a lot about the history of the island from Neil who works here as a volunteer for several days each week.
Can you spot the squirrels in this
woodland scene, there are several
there but of course their red coats are a perfect disguise.
This scene has no squirrels but what a
great taste of Autumn colours to delight the eye.
My amateur camera and the nervous disposition of these wild animals yielded this view as the closest I could get to the many squirrels we saw.
The only way to appreciate the beauty of this setting and one of its most charming occupants is to come and see for yourself.
Hopefully the National Trust will repeat this special extension of their season again in 2002, meanwhile the squirrels will have the island to themselves until the spring opening of the island next year.
