Brent geese winter refuge removed from seafront

A coastal space, fenced off to the public to create a refuge for brent geese, has been taken down as the birds have left after overwintering.

The refuge is put in place every year on Southsea Common in Portsmouth, Hampshire, for the geese that migrate to the area from Siberia to feed and roost from early October.

The sanctuary for the Amber list birds is a requirement of Natural England for the £180m Southsea Coastal Scheme, due to the temporary loss of land during construction along the seafront.

The refuge, monitored three times a week during winter, saw the first arrivals in November, with the last geese recorded on 20 March. They have now headed back to nesting grounds in Siberia.

A Southsea Coastal Scheme spokesperson said: "The geese remembered where to land and returned in their numbers.

"Across the winter we recorded frequently high numbers, with the highest being 258 geese."

The scheme is the UK's largest local authority-led coastal defence project.

When finished, it will stretch for 2.8 miles (4.5km) from Old Portsmouth to Eastney and is intended to help reduce the risk of flooding to more than 10,000 homes and 700 businesses.

Phase one of six started in September 2020, with the entire scheme due to complete in early 2029.

You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X, or Instagram.