Wild birds: the law and licensing in Wales

The legislation protecting wild birds and the types of licence we issue.

The law protecting birds

All wild birds, their nests and eggs are protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

It is an offence to intentionally:

• kill, injure or take any wild bird
• take, damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird whilst it is in use or being built (the nests of golden eagle, white-tailed eagle or osprey are protected throughout the year)
• take or destroy an egg of any wild bird

It is also an offence to unlawfully possess:

• any live or dead wild bird, or any part or anything derived from such a bird
• the egg of any wild bird, or any part of such an egg

Birds with extra protection

Birds listed on schedule 1 have extra protection. 

It is an offence to intentionally disturb:

• a Schedule 1 bird while it is building a nest or is in, on or near a nest containing eggs or young; or
• dependent young of a Schedule 1 bird
  
  

Licences we issue

We can grant licences for specific purposes so that you can undertake the relevant activity without breaking the law.

We issue two types of licence authorising certain activities affecting wild birds:

• check our general licences
• apply for a specific licence