Watch: Fake Brent Geese placed in fenced off area on Southsea Common to create refuge
Fake Brent Geese have been placed on an area of Southsea Common which has been fenced off to create a safehaven for the migrating birds while sea defence works are taking place.
The temporary enclosure, complete with decoy geese, has been 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.
In a statement the Coastal Defence team explained: “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.”
Watch the video embedded in this story to see the area set aside for the birds.
Flocks of Brent Geese tend to arrive in the area from Siberia in early October and are often seen in Farlington, but this is not the first time an area has been fenced off for them in the south of the city with the city council having a legal obligation to do this.
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 instead. Since then, a part of Southsea Common has been set aside instead.
A council spokesperson said: “Protecting the Brent gGese 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.”