Statutory guidance

GL40: general licence to kill or take certain species of wild birds to conserve wild birds, flora or fauna of conservation concern

Updated 1 January 2026

Applies to England

Reference: WML-GL40.

Date of issue: 1 January 2026.

This licence is valid for one year from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2026.

Overview

This licence permits an authorised person to carry out activities in relation to certain species of wild birds for the purposes of conserving wild birds, flora or fauna of conservation concern. (See the section ‘Definitions used in this licence’ for explanations of the terms used here).

Licence users must comply with the terms and conditions of this licence.

You should follow good practice guidelines. 

Registration

You do not need to register to use this licence.

Recording and reporting

It is recommended that you make records of activities, but you do not have to report activities taken under this licence. 

Legislation

Statutes: Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) (‘the 1981 Act’).

Relevant section(s): Sections 16(1)(c) and 16(1)(cb) and 16(5).

Unless expressly stated in this licence to the contrary, references to legislation are references to that legislation as it had effect on 1 January 2026.

Licence terms and conditions

You may use this licence to carry out the authorised activities in accordance with the terms and conditions of this licence at any time within the duration of the licence period.

When you can use this licence

This licence is valid from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2026, inclusive.

Where you can use this licence

This licence is valid in England, landward of the mean low water mark.

Who can use this licence

Only an authorised person* can use this licence.

You must apply to Natural England for an individual licence if this licence does not cover the action you want to take.

Who cannot use this licence

You cannot use this licence if you have been convicted of a wildlife offence* on or after 1 January 2010, unless one or both of the following applies:

• you have served your conviction and are a rehabilitated person for the purpose of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974
• a court has made an order discharging you of the wildlife offence

You cannot use this licence if Natural England has withdrawn your permission to use it.

*see the section ‘Definitions used in this licence’

Which purposes you can use this licence for

Table 1 shows the conservation purposes that permit you to control the permitted target species* under this licence.

*see the section ‘Definitions used in this licence’

Table 1. Conservation purposes for which you may take action against the permitted target species

Permitted target species (scientific name)	Conserving wild birds of conservation concern*	Conserving flora of conservation concern*	Conserving fauna of conservation concern*
Canada goose (Branta canadensis)	Yes	Yes	Yes
Carrion crow (Corvus corone)	Yes	No	No
Egyptian goose (Alopochen aegyptiaca)	Yes	No	No
House crow (Corvus splendens)	Yes	No	No
Jay (Garrulus glandarius)	Yes, but only to conserve woodland birds of conservation concern*	No	No
Magpie (Pica pica)	Yes	No	No
Monk parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus)	Yes	No	No
Ring-necked parakeet (Psittacula krameri)	Yes	No	Yes
Sacred Ibis (Threskiornis aethiopicus)	Yes	No	No

The scientific name of a species will be used in any dispute or legal proceeding.

*see the section ‘Definitions used in this licence’

How you can use this licence

Subject to all terms and conditions, this licence allows any authorised person to:

• kill* or take birds
• take, damage or destroy nests
• take or destroy eggs

This can be done using the following methods:

• pricking eggs
• oiling eggs
• destroying eggs and nests
• killing or taking by hand
• using targeted falconry
• shooting with any firearm, including semi-automatic weapons*, shotguns or air guns
• trapping with a permitted cage trap design
• taking birds while not in flight with any handheld or hand-propelled net

*see the section ‘Definitions used in this licence’

Licence conditions

Condition 1: alternative lawful methods

This condition only applies to acting under this licence against carrion crows, jays and magpies.

You, or the person authorising you to act under this licence, must make reasonable endeavours to achieve the purpose using alternative lawful methods not covered by this licence. This applies both before and during use of this licence.

You do not have to use alternative, lawful methods if it would be impractical, ineffective or disproportionate in the circumstances.

For advice on alternative lawful methods, see ‘Condition 1 advice: alternative lawful methods’ in the section ‘Information and advice specific to this licence’. 

Condition 2: protecting animal welfare

Any birds killed under this licence must be killed in a quick and humane* manner. This includes complying with Condition 8 of the standard licence conditions for trapping wild birds (GL33).

For advice on protecting animal welfare, see ‘Condition 2 advice: protecting animal welfare when killing birds’ in the section ‘Information and advice specific to this licence’.

*see the section ‘Definitions used in this licence’

Condition 3: trapping birds

If you are using a trap or decoy bird in acting under this licence, you must comply with the standard licence conditions for trapping wild birds (GL33).

If you use a cage trap, it does not need to satisfy the dimension requirements of section 8(1) of the 1981 Act.

If you are using a cage trap, you must only use the birds listed below as decoys:

• carrion crow (Corvus corone)
• jay (Garrulus glandarius)
• magpie (Pica pica)
• monk parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus)
• ring-necked parakeet (Psittacula krameri)

Condition 4: using this licence on a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)

Before acting under this licence on a SSSI, you must ensure that Natural England has issued appropriate permission, where this is an operation requiring Natural England’s consent.

For advice on SSSIs, see ‘Condition 4 advice: using this licence on a SSSI’, in the section ‘Information and advice specific to this licence’.

Condition 5: using this licence on or near special protection areas (SPAs)

Before acting under this licence on a SPA or in its buffer zone, you must comply with any additional conditions in Table 2.

Table 2. SPAs and their buffer zones, where additional conditions apply

European site	Buffer zone	Additional conditions
Benacre to Easton Bavents	200m	You must not disturb any little tern while it’s: - present at a little tern nesting site - building a nest - in, on or near a nest containing eggs or young You must not disturb its dependent young
Blackwater Estuary	500m	You must not disturb any little tern while it’s: - present at a little tern nesting site - building a nest - in, on or near a nest containing eggs or young You must not disturb its dependent young. You must not disturb any hen harrier at a non-breeding communal bird-of-prey roost site.*
Bowland Fells	750m	You must not disturb any hen harrier or merlin while it’s: - present at a nesting site used by its species - building a nest - in, on or near a nest containing eggs or young You must not disturb its dependent young. You must not disturb any lesser black-backed gull while it’s: - present at a lesser black-backed gull colony* nest site - building a nest within that colony - in, on or near a nest containing eggs or young within that colony
Breckland	500m	You must not disturb any stone-curlew while it’s: - searching for a nest site - building a nest - in, on or near a stone-curlew nest containing eggs or young You must not disturb its dependent young.
Colne Estuary	500m	You must not disturb any little tern while it’s: - present at a little tern nesting site - building a nest - in, on or near a nest containing eggs or young You must not disturb its dependent young. You must not disturb any hen harrier at a non-breeding communal bird-of-prey roost site.*
Dee Estuary	300m	You must not disturb any little tern or common tern while it’s: - present at a colony* nesting site used by its species - building a nest - in, on or near a nest containing eggs or young of the species concerned You must not disturb their dependent young.
Dengie	500m	You must not disturb any hen harrier at a non-breeding communal bird-of-prey roost site.*
Foulness	300m	You must not disturb any avocet, little tern, common tern or Sandwich tern while it’s: - present at a nesting site used by its species - building a nest - in, on or near a nest containing eggs or young of the species concerned You must not disturb their dependent young.
Hamford Water	200m	You must not disturb any little tern while it’s: -present at a little tern nesting site - building a nest - in, on or near a nest containing eggs or young You must not disturb its dependent young.
Humber Estuary	300m	You must not disturb any avocet or little tern while it’s: - present at a nesting site used by its species - building a nest - in, on or near a nest containing eggs or young of the species concerned You must not disturb their dependent young.
Mersey Narrows and Wirral Foreshore	300m	You must not disturb any common tern while it’s: -present at a common tern colony* nesting site - building a nest - in, on or near a nest containing eggs or young You must not disturb its dependent young.
Morecambe Bay and Duddon Estuary	300m	You must not disturb any little tern, common tern or Sandwich tern while it’s: - present at a nesting site used by its species - building a nest - in, on or near a nest containing eggs or young of the species concerned You must not disturb their dependent young. You must not disturb any lesser black-backed gull, herring gull or any other seabird (black-headed gull, great black-backed gull, little tern, Sandwich tern, common tern or Arctic tern) while it is: - present at a colony* nest site - building a nest within that colony - in, on or near a nest containing eggs or young within that colony
Nene Washes	500m	You must not disturb any black-tailed godwit while it’s: -present at a black-tailed godwit nesting site - building a nest - in, on or near a nest containing eggs or young You must not disturb its dependent young.
New Forest	500m	You must not disturb any honey buzzard while it’s: -present at a honey buzzard nesting site - building a nest - in, on or near a nest containing eggs or young You must not disturb its dependent young. You must not disturb any hen harrier at a non-breeding communal bird-of-prey roost site.*
North Pennine Moors	750m	You must not disturb any hen harrier, merlin or peregrine while it’s: -present at a nesting site used by its species - building a nest - in, on or near a nest containing eggs or young of the species concerned You must not disturb their dependent young.
North York Moors	500m	You must not disturb any merlin while it’s: -present at a merlin nesting site - building a nest - in, on or near a nest containing eggs or young You must not disturb its dependent young.
Ouse Washes	500m	You must not disturb any black-tailed godwit while it’s: -present at a black-tailed godwit nesting site - building a nest - in, on or near a nest containing eggs or young You must not disturb its dependent young.
Ribble and Alt Estuaries	300m	You must not disturb any common tern while it’s: -present at a common tern nesting site - building a nest - in, on or near a nest containing eggs or young You must not disturb its dependent young.
Salisbury Plain	500m	You must not disturb any stone-curlew while it’s: -present at a stone-curlew nesting site - building a nest - in, on or near a nest containing eggs or young You must not disturb its dependent young. You must not disturb any hen harrier at a non-breeding communal bird-of-prey roost site.*
South Pennine Moors (Phase 1)	500m	You must not disturb any merlin or short-eared owl while it’s: -present at a nesting site used by its species - building a nest - in, on or near a nest containing eggs or young of the species concerned You must not disturb their dependent young.
South Pennine Moors (Phase 2)	500m	You must not disturb any merlin or short-eared owl while it’s: -present at a nesting site used by its species - building a nest - in, on or near a nest containing eggs or young of the species concerned You must not disturb their dependent young.
Stour and Orwell Estuaries	300m	You must not disturb any avocet while it’s: -present at an avocet nesting site - building a nest - in, on or near a nest containing eggs or young You must not disturb its dependent young.
Thames Estuary and Marshes	500m	You must not disturb any hen harrier at a non-breeding communal bird-of-prey roost site.*
Walmore Common	400m	You must not disturb any Bewick’s swan flock.

For advice on SPAs, see ‘Condition 5 advice: using this licence on or near SPAs’ in the section ‘Information and advice specific to this licence’.

*see the section ‘Definitions used in this licence’

Condition 6: restrictions to reduce the spread of bird flu on or near protected sites

When you are operating under this licence, avoid displacing wild birds to beyond their home range*. This condition applies to only the following types of wild birds:

• significant flocks* of wildfowl* at any time of the year
• significant flocks* of waders* at any time of the year
• significant flocks* of gulls at any time of the year
• breeding colonies of seabirds*
• any harrier species

This condition only applies to operations on or next to* sites of special scientific interest (SSSI).

For advice on reducing bird flu risk, see ‘Condition 6 advice: restrictions to reduce the spread of bird flu’ in the section ‘Information and advice specific to this licence’.

*see the section ‘Definitions used in this licence’

Important: enforcement and penalties

This licence authorises acts that would otherwise be offences under the legislation referred to above. Failure to comply with its terms and conditions:

i. may be an offence against the 1981 Act or mean that the licence cannot be relied upon and an offence could therefore be committed. The maximum penalty available for an offence under the 1981 Act is, at the time of the issue of this licence, an unlimited fine, a six-month custodial sentence, or both.

ii. may result in your permission to use this licence being withdrawn. Natural England will inform any person or organisation whose permission to use this licence is withdrawn in writing. This sanction may be applied to other similar licences.

iii. may mean that you are not able to rely on this licence as a defence in respect to the prohibitions within the Animal Welfare Act 2006 or the Wild Mammals (Protection) Act 1996.

If the activity that you wish to undertake is not covered by this licence, or if you are unable to comply with any of the terms and conditions which apply to the use of this licence, then you will need to apply to Natural England for an individual licence.

Information and advice specific to this licence

Recording and reporting

As soon as possible after using this licence, you should make a written record of any actions you have taken under the licence. This should include:

• any action that has been taken to comply with Condition 1 (alternative lawful methods)
• the reasons why you concluded there was no satisfactory alternative to the action you took - consider Condition 1 advice in the section ‘Information and advice specific to this licence‘
• the methods used to kill* or take birds or destroy nests or eggs
• the target species and number of birds killed, or nests or eggs destroyed, for each species and purpose
• the date of any action you have taken
• where you took the action
• the species being protected and conservation purpose for which you took the action

Natural England also recommends that you:

• keep these records for at least 3 years, starting on the first date on which the action is taken under this, or previous version of this licence
• can produce these records on request to Natural England or to another authority

*see the section ‘Definitions used in this licence’

Other relevant legislation

Natural England recommends that you check other legislation that may be relevant to your circumstances when operating under this licence, including:

Use of lead shot

The Environmental Protection (Restriction on the use of Lead Shot) (England) Regulations 1999 prohibit the use of lead shot:

• on or over any area below high-water mark (of ordinary spring tides) in England
• on or over any site of special scientific interest (SSSI) included in Schedule 1 to these regulations – these are predominantly wetlands
• for the shooting of any wild bird included in Schedule 2 to these regulations – all ducks and geese, coot and moorhen

Natural England recommends that lead shot is not used, particularly not on, over or adjacent to any SSSI, European site or Ramsar site.

Lead shot is defined as shot made of lead or of any alloy or compound containing lead in a concentration equal to or greater than 1% by weight.

Shooting in severe weather

Between 7 November and 20 February, in periods of severe weather, Natural England recommends that you check whether there is voluntary restraint or a statutory suspension order in place.

During periods of statutory suspension, you can control Canada geese under this licence but you should avoid disturbance to other waterbirds.

Condition 1 advice: alternative lawful methods

You will need to consider measures that are reasonable both before and during action being taken under this licence.

You do not need to use non-lethal methods of control, or continue to use them if you have tried them, if you consider them to be:

• not practical
• not effective
• disproportionate

What is reasonable will depend on various things, for example, on the:

• species of bird
• size and type of land
• cost of using alternative measures, including lawful methods not covered by this licence

If birds become used to certain non-lethal methods of control (habituation), you should not stop using non-lethal methods for this reason.

The best outcomes tend to be through using a range of methods that are regularly changed to better prevent habituation. However, sometimes this may need to be reinforced by lethal action. For more information, read Natural England’s wildlife management advice note WML-GU01: legal measures to resolve conflict with wild birds.

The following examples are alternative measures and non-lethal methods for some target species that have been shown to be effective at reducing the conservation impact.

Exclusion techniques

Protect the nests of wild birds with nest-cages and fences to exclude predators.

Appropriate for these target species: carrion crows, magpies and jays.

Habitat management

Preserve and enhance suitable vegetation and environmental features for wild birds to maximise their breeding success and to protect them from predation by the target species.

Appropriate for these target species: carrion crows, magpies and jays.

Livestock and crop management

Keep livestock densities at a level that ensures there’s also sufficient food left for wild birds.

Manage crop cover to allow them to nest and take refuge from predation.

Appropriate for these target species: carrion crows, magpies and jays.

Condition 2 advice: protecting animal welfare

When carrying out the authorised activities under this licence, you must comply with all relevant legislation, including the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

Natural England recommends that you read The Animal Welfare Act 2006: what it means for wildlife for information on how to comply with Condition 2 of this licence.

If you do not comply with Condition 2, you may also be committing an offence under section 4 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 by causing unnecessary suffering.

This applies to the humane* dispatch of captured animals and the treatment of animals held in traps or nets and includes decoy birds and non-target animals.

To protect the welfare of dependent young, Natural England recommends that you avoid lethal control of adult birds under this licence during their breeding season, whenever possible. The purposes of this licence may still be achievable by acting under this licence at other times of year, or by targeting immature non-breeding birds, or by using non-lethal deterrent methods appropriately during their breeding season.

Natural England recommends that, if you need to capture and kill geese, then kill them out of sight of other geese of the same species. This activity is appropriate when rounding up flightless geese during their summertime moult.

*see the section ‘Definitions used in this licence’

Condition 4 advice: using this licence on a SSSI

This licence is not a permission for the purposes of Section 28 in the 1981 Act in respect of SSSIs. It is your responsibility to get consent or assent if required before this licence can be used on any SSSI. This licence is not a substitute for notifying Natural England.

If you already have consent or assent from Natural England for activities under this licence, they can be carried out. If the activities on this licence are carried out by you or someone else without consent when this is needed, you may have committed an offence.

Who notifies Natural England

The owner or occupier of land that is within a SSSI is required to give written notice to Natural England before either starting any operation or allowing someone else to carry out any operation that is listed as an operation requiring Natural England’s consent (ORNEC). Consent or assent can only be given to the relevant SSSI owner or occupier. If you are not the owner or occupier of the SSSI then you will not be able to act under this licence on a SSSI until they have given notice and received written permission from Natural England. If you start licensed activity without this, you may be at risk of committing an offence. You should wait until Natural England’s decision has been received by the relevant SSSI owner or occupier.

Consent from Natural England – if you are not a public body or statutory undertaker

If you are not a section 28G authority (as defined in section 28G(3) of the 1981 Act), consent may be given with or without conditions. Or in some cases consent may not be granted or may already have been granted. Before acting under this licence, ask the relevant SSSI landowner or occupier about consent; and if this exists ask what conditions apply.

Follow the guidance Sites of special scientific interest: managing your land if you need to:

• check whether land is within a SSSI
• request SSSI consent from Natural England

Assent and advice from Natural England – if you are a public body or statutory undertaker

There is a different process if you are a public body or statutory undertaker (known as a section 28 authority). A duty of a section 28G authority is to give notice about any operation it intends to carry out that is likely to damage SSSI features. This duty also applies to land outside of the SSSI if this is likely to damage a feature of a SSSI. Natural England must be given notice before starting an operation under this licence.

In relation to assent for operations a section 28G authority intends to carry out, it must also comply with further requirements in section 28H of the 1981 Act.

A duty of a section 28G authority is to give notice about any operation it intends to grant permission for another party to carry out that is likely to damage SSSI features. In this instance, the section 28G authority must also comply with further requirements in section 28I of the 1981 Act.

Follow the guidance Sites of special scientific interest: public body responsibilities if you need to:

• check whether land is within a SSSI
• request SSSI assent or advice from Natural England

Condition 5 advice: using this licence on or near SPAs

You can use the MAGIC map application to find the SPAs listed in Table 2 and their boundaries. To view a map of all SPAs in England:

1. Open the MAGIC map application.
2. Select ‘Map Layers’.
3. Select ‘Designations.’
4. Select ‘Land-Based Designations’, then ‘Statutory’.
5. Select the checkbox for ‘Special Protection Areas (England)’.

If you’re acting under this licence on a SPA listed in Table 2 (SPAs and their buffer zones), where additional conditions apply or within its buffer zone, Natural England recommends that you do all of the following:

• make reasonable endeavours to locate any breeding sites or communal non-breeding sites of bird species shown on Table 2 at the site that applies to you before carrying out any activity – this could involve making local enquiries, but avoid any activity that disturbs any bird of that species
• remain concealed and quiet, and covertly approach the target birds you intend to kill* or take under this licence
• use firearms fitted with sound moderators if you have the correct firearms licence – read the guide on firearms licences for more information
• avoid regularly shooting to scare, or using any firearms without sound moderators, including shotguns
• avoid using falconry birds, as they can travel long distances and could interact or cause disturbance

Working at recommended safe distances

Natural England recommends that you work at a safe distance from the species protected on the SPA to avoid disturbing them. When assessing the risk of disturbance and making a judgement on how to comply with Condition 5, Natural England recommends that you consider all of the following:

• the type of activity you are undertaking and how likely it is to cause disturbance
• lines of sight – for example, if you stay out of sight, you are less likely to cause disturbance
• avoiding sensitive times – early stages in the breeding season when establishing territory and incubating eggs, or peak wintering season when largest numbers are present
• the time of day you undertake activity under the licence – for example, avoid places at a time when the listed bird species are present at a communal overnight roost
• weather conditions – avoid activity during adverse weather conditions – for example, prolonged spells of hard frost, snow or freezing temperatures (see the section ‘Shooting in severe weather’) – also, avoid heavy rainfall, cold and high winds, as nest failure is more likely in these conditions
• screening features – where possible use hills, trees, scrub or buildings located between you and the sensitive birds to reduce direct line of sight and lessen the impact of any shotgun noise
• specific bird behaviour – be aware that some nesting birds will rely on their camouflage and vegetation cover for protection rather than taking flight when approached, but distress and disturbance is still likely to be caused even prior to the bird taking flight

Natural England recommends that you work at a safe distance from the sensitive birds listed in Table 3.

Table 3. Recommended safe working distances, shown by species

Species	Recommended safe working distance (metres)
Avocet	300m around nest sites
Bewick’s swan	400m around any flock
Black-tailed godwit	500m around nest sites
Common tern	300m around nest sites
Hen harrier	750m around nest sites 500m around a non-breeding communal bird-of-prey roost site*
Herring gull	200m around colony* nest sites
Honey buzzard	250m around nest sites
Lesser black-backed gull	200m around colony* nest sites
Little tern	200m around nest sites
Merlin	500m around nest sites
Peregrine	750m around nest sites
Sandwich tern	300m around nest sites
Short-eared owl	500m around nest sites
Stone-curlew	500m around nest sites

Section 1 and Schedule 1 to the 1981 Act provide additional protection for some species of birds.

It’s an offence if you intentionally or recklessly disturb a Schedule 1 species:

• while it’s building a nest
• in, on or near a nest containing eggs or young
• the dependent young of such a bird

*see the section ‘Definitions used in this licence’

Condition 6 advice: restrictions to reduce the spread of bird flu

Bird disturbance as a method to support licensed activities continues to be allowed under this licence. However, for operations on or next to* protected sites for wild birds listed in Condition 6, disturbance must not directly result in those birds dispersing beyond their home range*. Causing birds to mix or scatter to places they would not normally go to should be avoided. This is to help reduce the risk of spreading bird flu among the wild bird populations of most conservation importance.

You should manage operations to reduce or avoid disturbing these birds. Disturbance distances are not given for Condition 6. Instead, you will need to assess your proposed operation in each situation appropriately to comply with the condition.

Check whether land is within a SSSI using the guidance on sites of special scientific interest: managing your land.

Land that is designated an SPA or Ramsar site will also be designated a SSSI.

*see the section ‘Definitions used in this licence’

Information and advice for all class and general licences

General information

Ordinarily, this licence will be reissued or updated on 1 January each year. You should check the terms and conditions of the licence before you use it for the first time each year, in case of amendments. Licences can be modified or revoked at any time by Natural England or the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, but this will not be done unless there are good reasons for doing so.

The common name of the species given in a licence is included by way of guidance only. In the event of any dispute or proceedings, it is the scientific name of a species only that will be taken into account.

The limits of licences

Licences permit action only for the purposes specified on that licence.

Licences do not permit actions prohibited under any other legislation.

Licences do not confer any right of entry upon land.

Unless otherwise stated, the provisions of Natural England licences only apply landward of the mean low water mark in England. The Marine Management Organisation is responsible for all licensing seaward of the mean low water mark.

Definitions used in this licence

Authorised person

‘Authorised person’ is defined in section 27(1) of the 1981 Act. It includes the owner or occupier of the land on which action authorised by this licence is to be taken, or any person authorised by the owner or occupier.

Flocks, roosting and nesting

‘Colony’ means a location where multiple birds nest in close proximity to each other.

‘Home range’ is defined as places that a bird routinely moves within on a day-to-day basis, which can mean its breeding territory, or the places it, and other birds it usually associates with, go to feed, roost and rest.

‘Next to’ is defined as any place where birds of that protected site could be disturbed by activities permitted under this licence.

‘Non-breeding communal bird-of-prey roost site’ means a location with 2 or more individual bird-of-prey roosts in close proximity to each other.

‘Significant flocks’ are defined as any relatively large number of birds close together. In this licence when referring to wildfowl, waders and gulls, this usually means a flock of more than 100 birds.

Killing and shooting

‘Humane’ means taking all reasonable precautions to ensure that any killing of birds under this licence is carried out in a single, swift action.

‘Semi-automatic weapon’ is defined in section 27(1) of the 1981 Act. It means any weapon which is not prohibited by section 5 of the Firearms Act 1968 and which has a magazine that can hold more than 2 rounds of ammunition, where the depression of the trigger discharges a single shot and reloads the next, each subsequent shot requiring a further depression of the trigger – for example, Firearms Act section 1 shotguns.

‘To kill’ includes accidentally wounding while attempting to kill in accordance with this licence.

Species of conservation concern

‘Fauna of conservation concern’ means wild animals, other than wild birds, that are included in the red list of GB species published by the JNCC which are categorised as: vulnerable (VU), endangered (EN), critically endangered (CR) or possibly extinct (PE).

‘Flora of conservation concern’ means plants included in the red list of GB species published by the Joint Nature Conservancy Committee (JNCC) which are categorised as: vulnerable (VU), endangered (EN), critically endangered (CR) or possibly extinct (PE).

‘Wild bird of conservation concern’ means a species of bird that is included in the list of birds of conservation concern.

‘Woodland bird of conservation concern’ means a species of bird so indicated on the list woodland birds of conservation concern.

Wild birds

‘Permitted target species’ means the wild birds listed in ‘Table 1. Conservation purposes for which you may take action against the permitted target species’.

‘Seabirds’ are defined as any bird adapted for life in the marine environment, including all auks, cormorant, fulmar, gannet, gulls, petrels, shag and all shearwaters.

‘Waders’ are defined as any bird species of the orders Charadriiformes and Pelecaniformes, including avocet, all egrets, herons, oystercatcher, plovers, sandpipers and similar species.

‘Wild bird’ is as defined in section 27(1) of the 1981 Act.

‘Wildfowl’ are defined as any bird species of the family Anatidae, including all wild ducks, geese and swans.

Wildlife offence

‘Wildlife offence’ means any offence under any of the following legislation (all as amended):

• Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 (‘the Habitats Regulations’)
• Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981
• Protection of Badgers Act 1992
• Deer Act 1991
• Hunting Act 2004
• Wild Mammals (Protection) Act 1996
• Animal Welfare Act 2006
• Protection of Animals Act 1911
• Invasive Alien Species (Enforcement and Permitting) Order 2019

Contact Natural England

For licensing enquiries:

Wildlife licensing

Natural England
Horizon House
Deanery Road
Bristol
BS1 5AH

Email wildlife@naturalengland.org.uk

Telephone 0300 060 3900

  For any other enquiries, contact Natural England.

WML-GL40 [version January 2026]