Statutory guidance

Wild birds: licence for vets to rehabilitate certain species (GL08)

Use this general licence to keep disabled schedule 4 wild birds for up to 6 weeks to rehabilitate them.

• From: Natural England
• Published: 31 December 2013
• Last updated: 1 January 2026
  Show all updates

  1. 1 January 2026

     Updated this licence to cover the period 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2030.

  2. 1 January 2025

     Updated this licence to cover the period 1 January to 31 December 2025. Reworded several sections to make the information clearer. Updated licence condition 5 and the 'Avian influenza' information and advice note.

  3. 1 January 2024

     There is an update to this licence for 1 January 2024.

  4. 1 January 2023

     Annual licence updates, valid from 1 January 2023.

  5. 1 January 2022

     Annual licence update, valid from 1 January 2022.

  6. 1 January 2021

     Annual licence update.

  7. 23 November 2020

     Added accessible version of the licence - HTML.

  8. 1 January 2020

     Replaced licence with new version issued 1 January 2020

  9. 1 January 2019

     Replaced licence with new version issued 1 January 2019

  10. 1 January 2018

      Replaced licence with new version issued 1 January 2018

  11. 1 January 2017

      Replaced licence with new version issued 1 January 2017

  12. 1 January 2016

      Replaced licence with new version issued 1 January 2016.

  13. 1 January 2015

      Added updated general licence. New version valid between 1 January and 31 December 2015.

  14. 31 December 2013

      First published.

Applies to England

Documents

Licence for vets to keep disabled schedule 4 wild birds for rehabilitation (GL08)

HTML

Details

As a veterinary surgeon or practitioner, this licence lets you keep the following species for up to 6 weeks before you must register them:

• honey buzzards
• golden eagles
• white-tailed eagles
• peregrine falcons
• goshawks
• marsh harriers
• Montagu’s harriers
• merlins
• ospreys

You can keep these birds for up to 6 weeks without registering if:

• the bird is disabled
• you plan to rehabilitate and release it
• you’re giving the bird veterinary treatment
• you record all treatments
• you keep the treatment records for 2 years from when you received the bird

You do not need to apply for this licence but you must meet its conditions and follow its instructions.