Migratory geese return to Southsea Common

The refuge will be staying until the end of March

An area of common has been fenced off to create an "overwintering" refuge area for brent geese.

The closure at Southsea Common in Portsmouth is about two hectares in size (20,000 sqm) and will be in place until the end of March.

The site is a requirement of Natural England for the Southsea Coastal Scheme due to the temporary loss of land during construction along the seafront.

A spokesperson from the scheme said the temporary enclosure was "essential to provide a safe and undisturbed habitat for these migratory birds while works on the seafront are being carried out".

Flocks tend to arrive from Siberia in early October and it is not the first time the site has been fenced off for them.

A spokesperson from Southsea Coastal Scheme added: "Last year we successfully used this area for the geese, with our highest number spotted in the refuge at one time coming in at 380.

"Throughout the wintering period we recorded 12 three-figure counts of geese, four of which were in excess of 300."

Southsea Common is officially recognised as a Solent Wader and Brent Goose Strategy site.

The refuge will be monitored throughout the winter and the fencing will be removed as the geese begin their long journey back to Siberia for the summer.