The spectacular wildlife of Brownsea Island’s famous lagoon can now be watched live across the world, thanks to a new webcamshowcasing its outstanding birdlife to all throughout the year. The lagoon, managed by Dorset Wildlife Trust on the National Trust owned island, is one of the best places in the U.K. for watching birds, with internationally important numbers visiting each year. Now everybody has the chance to see them all year round, including autumn and winter when bird numbers can be at their peak.
The webcam, funded by The Sound Approach, is the result of a collaboration between the National Trust, Dorset Wildlife Trust, Birds of Poole Harbour and many local partners, including the Sandbanks Hotel, which has facilitated the connection to the mainland. DWT manages and maintains water levels on the lagoon, which attracts up to 10,000 birds at this time of year and holds the UK record for numbers of avocets (1331). Other birds includespoonbills, curlew, grey plover, oystercatcher and internationally significant numbers of black tailed godwits, while in summer the focus changes with the arrival of nesting Sandwich and common terns.
Chris Thain, Dorset Wildlife Trust Reserve Manager on Brownsea Island, said: “The sight of the many birds on Brownsea’s lagoon is a conservation success and a spectacle that everyone should be able to share. We are absolutely delighted that the camera has made this possible and the island’s wildlife viewing is open for all, through every season of the year.”
Claire Dixon, National Trust Visitor Services and Enterprises Manager for Brownsea Island, said “It’s really exciting to be working with our partners to provide this incredible opportunity for our visitors. We are looking forward to revealing fantastic footage of the large numbers of rare birds that flock to the lagoon. This project will ensure that everyone can enjoy these stunning scenes.
The webcam is the brainchild of local naturalist Paul Morton, who said:“the camera is such a huge step in teaching people a bit more about Poole Harbour’s fascinating bird life, and is truly the crowning glory of our new ‘Birds of Poole Harbour’ website. The Dorset Wildlife Trust and National Trust have been instrumental in helping me take this forward and I can’t thank them enough.”
You can view the Brownsea Island lagoon camera live at:
dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/brownseacam andwww.birdsofpooleharbour.co.uk. You can visit Brownsea Island at weekends this winter from 9th February to 17th March and there are monthly Members’ Days for DWT members. More details on 01305 264620 or visit dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/events.
