Surveying, ringing, marking or photographing birds
You need to apply for a bird licence if you want to disturb birds at or near their nest to monitor breeding success, protect nests or undertake scientific studies. Activities include:
- surveys
- photography
- ringing or marking birds or examining rings or marks
Schedule 1 birds
You must apply to the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) if you want to do one of the following:
- ring or mark Schedule 1 birds
- take part in the Nest Record Scheme
The BTO will assess your application and recommends to us whether a licence should be issued.
You must also:
How to apply for a licence from us
You must apply directly to us for a licence from us to disturb non-Schedule 1 birds for science, research or education.
About you
We need:
- your name, address, email and phone number
- a description of your qualifications and experience
- copies of your certificates and training log books
- two references
- copies of any similar licences from Natural England or Nature Scot held by you
- to know if you, or anyone else named on the application, has ever been convicted of a wildlife offence
About the activity
We will ask you to:
- select what you plan to do from the following:
- disturb through close observation
- take wild birds or wild eggs
- possess and control wild birds
- possess and control wild birds' eggs
- possess and control derivatives of wild birds
- photography of Schedule 1 birds
- ringing or marking or examining any ring or mark
- give us a start and end date for your activity
- give a six digit grid reference for the place the activity will happen
- state when you want your licence to start (a licence can last up to one year)
- upload a method statement if your activity is part of a project
How much it costs
We charge £137 for applications for commercial activities, for example:
- surveys for development
- commercial photography
Applications for other purposes are free.
How long it takes
You will receive a decision on your application within 30 days of us receiving a complete application.