BIRD LEGISLATION
Summary
This sheet is a summary of some of the legislation affecting urban bird pest management in the UK at time of printing. Anybody carrying out bird work must be familiar and up-to-date with all the relevant local legislation.
Wildlife & Countryside Act
Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 (UK) - all wild birds, their nests and eggs are protected. Exceptions controlled by General Licences issued each year by Natural England, Scottish Office, Northern Ireland Office, Welsh Assembly
Licences
General Licences allow culling (with restrictions) provided all non lethal methods are found not to work or be inappropriate.
Restrictions:
- Specified species e.g. feral pigeons, some gulls, but in Englandsparrows and starlings now removed
- Authorised person e.g. has written permission
- Specified reasons e.g. public health or safety
- Specified methods e.g. shooting or trapping
Special Licences can be applied for in other situations
For General and Special Licences:
ENGLAND: www.naturalengland.org.uk
SCOTLAND: www.scotland.gov.uk
WALES: www.basc.org.uk Welsh Assembly, 02920 821523
NORTHERN IRELAND: www.ehsni.gov.uk
Proofing
A person shall be guilty of an offence liable to special penalty if he 'sets in position…an article which is of such a nature and is so placed as to be calculated (or in Scotland 'likely') to cause bodily injury to any wild bird coming into contact therewith'. Specifically mentioned in the Act is the prohibition of 'any electrical device for killing stunning or frightening and bird lime or substance of a like nature to bird lime'.
Trapping
- non pest species must be set free
- kill pest birds humanely, by neck dislocation
- traps inspected at least every 24 hrs in the daytime
- food and water must be provided
- if trapping sparrows (even for release) a special licence is required
Shooting
Air rifle legislation: Firearms Acts and subsequent amendments 1968-97 and the Highways Act 1980. e.g.
- Loaded air rifles must not be carried in a public place unless for a proper reason (Carrying airgun and separate loaded magazine is classed as a loaded airgun).
- No shooting within 50 feet of the centre of a highway if it might cause injury, interruption or danger.
- No trespassing in any building or on any land whilst in possession of an airgun.
- You need permission from landowners before shooting a pellet across their land even if you are not shooting from their land and the target is not on their land.
Chronograph regularly. Legal limit 12ft/pounds. Exceeding this without firearms licence - mandatory 5 year prison. Reduced power could lead to just injuring birds. Of the numerous rifles tested on Network training courses, 33% found to be illegal firearms and 12% insufficient power.
