Poole Harbour Guide 2011 - Poole Harbour Commissioners

Poole Harbour Islands
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For further information please call:
01202 707744 or visit:
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/brownsea-island
Brownsea is not the only island in the
harbour. Poole Harbour is home to a total
of eight islands, which have an interesting
and diverse range of uses. The six largest
are mentioned here:
Adjacent to Brownsea is Furzey. Furzey
Island is home to a well hidden oil well and
gathering station for Wytch Farm -
Britain's largest onshore oil development,
linked by pipeline to the refinery at
Fawley. This island is also home to the red
squirrel which have been studied on
Furzey since 1986. Annual trapping has
shown that the population varies from 18
to 57 adults, on only 6ha of woodland.
The thriving population is largely due to
the excellent cone crops from the Scots
pines on the island.
Next door is Green Island is a Site of
Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Special
Protection Area (SPA) and has featured on
the archaeology programme Time Team. It
covers approximately 45 acres at low tide
and is covered in extensive woodland in
the centre, made up of Scots pine with
several small areas of heathland. There are
two buildings on the island, helicopter
landing pad, a private wooden jetty as well
as a beach area. It is currently privately
owned, having been put up for sale at an
asking price of 2.5 million.
Long Island has recently been sold for
over a million, however, the new owner
cannot build a home but will be permitted
to pitch a tent in the wilderness for
accommodation.
Apparently, Pergin’s Island in Holes Bay is
haunted. Rumour has it that Pergin’s is
where the people of Poole used to take
‘witches’, tie them to trees and leave them
to die – Spooky!
Dorset Wildfowlers’ Association for
Shooting and Conservation own the 6-acre
Giggers Island.