Brownsea Island opens today for winter weekends until 16 March, offering a treat for wildlife lovers.

It coincides with the National Trust owned property being declared the country’s favourite nature reserve.

The island was nominated for the award by the BBC’s Countryfile Magazine and came out top in a public poll.

It was up against stiff competition from the likes of the RSPB’s Ouse Fen in Cambridgeshire, the Farne Islands in Northumberland and the Bass Rock Scottish Seabird Centre in East Lothian.

Angela Cott, the National Trust’s General Manager for Brownsea island said: “We thought it was great that the nature writer Mark Cocker together with presenter of the BBC’s Big Wildlife Revival Ellie Harrison selected Brownsea Island to be in the shortlist. But to come out top and win the award shows just how many people really love Brownsea.

“It is a really special place with over-wintering birds in the lagoon, red squirrels thriving in the pine woodlands and a wide range of wildlife now making the island their home.

Staff have been working hard over the winter to make Brownsea even better, improving wildlife habitats. Angela said: “Opening on winter weekends means people can come and see what makes the island so special.”

For the last 50 years since Brownsea was opened to the public, Dorset Wildlife Trust (DWT) has managed its nature reserve on the island.

DWT Reserve Manager, Chris Thain said: “We are absolutely delighted to have been selected for this award. Winter is a particularly spectacular time to come to the lagoon and see not only a huge diversity of birds, but also large numbers. In January this year we counted 1,973 black tailed godwits and 1,181 avocets. The lagoon is vitally important to over wintering wildfowl and waders, and the flocks of birds are a very impressive sight – especially if you’re a keen photographer.”

Well known as a wintering ground and stop-over for many migrating birds, the weekends are expected to be popular with those who have a keen interest in wildlife.

Claire Dixon from the National Trust added: “Brownsea is well-known for its internationally important numbers of winter birds and this year for the first time, there will be a guide in our public hide, to help you spot the avocet and black-tailed godwits as well as other waders. We also get ducks in very large numbers, we’d expect to have over 600 including teal, shelduck, shoveler, wigeon and gadwall.”

The ferry to the island during these weekends will operate every 30 minutes from Sandbanks with the cost of the boat and entrance to the island payable on arrival at Brownsea.

There has been work carried out to tidy up after the New Year storms which caused some damage to trees, including the loss of a 17th century oak tree – the third oldest on the island.

“It will be a quiet and tranquil time on the island and a great opportunity to explore and spot wildlife, even the island’s delightful red squirrels. Children can also make the most of our new natural play area, located near the heath and lakes,” added Claire.

l Brownsea Island will be open 10am to 4pm Saturdays and Sundays from today until 16 March. From 22 March the island will be open every day until 2 November 2014. Details from nationaltrust.org.uk/brownsea