Birds and the Law-
Birds and the Law
All wild birds are protected under law when they are nesting
under the Wildlife and
Countryside Act 1981 (as amended). In addition Schedule
1 species are protected at all times.
Offences:
- To kill, injure or take any wild bird.
- Take, damage or destroy a nest while it is in use or being
built.
- Take or destroy eggs.
- Possess or control any wild bird (dead or alive) or any part of
a wild bird which has been taken in contravention of the Act or the
Protection of Birds Act 1954.
- Possess or control any egg or part of an egg which has been
taken in contravention to the Act.
- Possess or control any live bird of prey of any species in the
world (with the exception of vultures and condors) unless it is
registered and ringed.
- Disturb any wild bird listed on schedule 1 of the Act while it
is nest building, or at a nest containing eggs or young, or disturb
the dependent young of such a bird.
Also, see Naturenet for further
details in respect to offences of selling, trading, exhibiting,
keeping in captivity and registering for possessing/controlling
certain species.
Exceptions:
- A general licence may be obtained to allow an authorised person
to destroy or take a nest of eggs of certain species of birds.
- In certain circumstances the killing of wild birds (excluding
those listed on schedule 1) is permitted under a licence but only
if it is necessary for the purpose of preserving public health or
air safety, preventing spread of disease or preventing serious
damage to livestock, foodstuffs for livestock, crops, vegetables,
fruit, growing timber or fisheries.
- If confident that it can be proven in court an injured bird may
be taken in order to rehabilitate it.
- Licences to take a wild bird may be obtained for various
purposes, e.g. scientific research, ringing, conservation.
Also, see Naturenet for further
details in respect to exceptions for certain gaming birds and for
the full list of licences.
If any activities are undertaken that result in any of the above
an offence would be committed under the law. If prosecuted,
fines of about £1,000 (per bird or nest) can be applied, except for
offences against schedule 1 birds where the fine applied could be
£5,000 or imprisonment.
Further Information: