Getting a bird licence: step by step
How to apply for and manage a bird licence.
1. Try to avoid harming birds
All wild birds, their eggs and nests are protected by law.
If birds are causing you problems, you must first try to resolve the problems without harming them.
Find out about the alternatives to killing birds.
2. Find your activity
You need to know if you must apply for a specific licence, or if you can carry out your activity under a general licence.
Find the activities we issue bird licences for.
Find out about our licence types and the legislation protecting birds.
3. Apply for a licence
Who can apply
xx
How long it takes
We take up to:
- 40 days to process a complete licence application to kill birds
- 30 days to process a complete licence application for science, research, surveys, or photography
What it costs
We charge £137 for a bird licence application for commercial purposes. Examples include surveys for development or commercial photography.
4. Change a licence
You can apply to change a licence xxx
5. Submit a licence report to us
Within four weeks of your licence expiring, you must send us a report of the action you took. You must send us a report even if you did not carry out any action.
Submit a report on your bird licence.
6. Renew a licence
You can renew a bird licence for:
- scientific, research, educational and photography purposes
- air safety
You can do this at the same time you send your report of the action you took.
For any other bird licence, you must apply for a new licence each time you think you need one.