Plan to close Southsea's Castle Field for months to create winter haven for Brent Geese is branded 'bonkers'

A part of Southsea’s Castle Field will be closed to the public from next month in order to create a refuge for migrating Brent Geese.

The proposal, announced by Southsea Coastal Scheme today, will last until the end of March and is expected to be repeated every winter until 2026.

Decoy birds and audio devices, mimicking the calls of the geese, will be installed in a bid to entice the animals to the field.

However, the plan has been ridiculed by residents living in Southsea, who said it would take a critical piece of land away from residents for months.

Trevor Goodman, 66, of Nelson Road, has lived in the area for 15 years and said the field was constantly used by fitness groups, families and dog walkers.

He said: ‘This is just totally bonkers. Whoever has come up with this plan clearly doesn’t know anything about Southsea. This is, without a doubt the most-used piece of grass in Southsea.

‘We’re going to need this public space during the coronavirus pandemic. We can’t give up space to a bunch of geese. It’s a joke. It’s pie in the sky. It’s just bonkers.’

The geese, which are a protected species of bird, migrate to Portsmouth from Siberia over the winter, nesting in fields around the city, including at Portsmouth College’s fields off Eastern Road, at Farlington Marshes and near the Lakeside business site in North Harbour.

Announcing the plan for Castle Field on Facebook, Southsea Coastal Scheme said: ‘This area has been identified as the most appropriate site for the refuge area in conjunction with Natural England. It is required to offset the use of the MoD site for the duration of the Southsea Coastal Scheme.

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‘Decoys (that look like Brent Geese) and audio devices will be placed within the refuge site to encourage the geese to use the area.

‘We apologise for any inconvenience caused.’

The site for the refuge area was agreed following consultation with Natural England, who required the alternative provision for the over-wintering birds in the city.

Councillor Steve Pitt, deputy leader of Portsmouth City Council and cabinet member for culture and city development, said the area would be used for Brent Geese over the ‘winter months’ until the completion of Southsea's coastal defences’ project in 2026.

‘The geese are a well-known feature of Southsea and we are required to make alternative provision for them,’ he added.

‘I understand there will be some inconvenience to the public, but the usual removal of restrictions to dogs on the beach and the remaining open spaces on our seafront will mean there is still plenty of space for all to enjoy.’

An ecologist will undertake regular monitoring of the site to see how the birds are using it.

The information will be shared with Natural England.

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