Southsea Common fenced off to create refuge for Brent Geese

The temporary enclosure is being created in the north east corner of the common by the Southsea Coastal Team away from the new temporary footpath across the south of the site and away from the Clarence Esplanade area.

It comes as the team begin work creating new sea defences along the esplanade on the stretch from the Blue Reef Aquarium to the hovertravel terminal in the latest phase of works. The esplanade is set to be closed until summer 2026 while the works take place.

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In a statement the Coastal Defence team explained: “Starting today, an area of Southsea Common will be fenced off to create a refuge for overwintering Brent Geese until the end of March 2025. It is essential to provide a safe and undisturbed habitat for these migratory birds while works on the seafront are being carried out.

“Protecting the Brent geese during their stay is a vital environmental requirement, ensuring their wellbeing while we improve the coastline. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in keeping this space peaceful for our feathered visitors.”

Flocks of Brent Geese tend to arrive in the area from Siberia in early October and it is not the first time an area has been fenced off for them. Back in 2020/21 Castle Field was set aside over the winter for the birds but they snubbed it and instead took up residence at the Tenth Hole golf course and nearby Portsmouth Cricket Club.

This is despite decoy geese being deployed to attract them.

Since then, a part of Southsea Common has been set aside instead with Portsmouth City Council fulfilling a legal obligation to provide a refuse area.

A council spokesperson said: “Protecting the Brent geese during their stay is a vital environmental requirement, which we're legally obliged to do by Natural England, to ensure their wellbeing while we improve the coastline. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in keeping this space peaceful for our feathered visitors.”