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Wild birds: licence to release schedule 9 species (GL22)

Get a general licence to release native wild bird species whose release is normally prohibited.

Updates to this page

From:
Natural England and Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
Published:
31 December 2013
Last updated:
1 January 2019
Show all updates

  1. Replaced licence with new version issued 1 January 2019

  2. Replaced licence with new version issued 1 January 2018

  3. Replaced licence with new version issued 1 January 2017

  4. Replaced licence with new version issued 1 January 2016

  5. replaced GL22 licence: new version valid 1 January to 31 December 2015

  6. First published.

This publication was withdrawn on

Replaced by revised version of GL22.

Applies to England

Documents

[Withdrawn] Licence to release native bird species whose release is normally prohibited (GL22)

PDF, 532 KB, 4 pages

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Details

It’s an offence to release certain birds under schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act. However with this general licence you can release certain native bird species if you:

  • took them to tend and rehabilitate and they now need to be released
  • accidentally caught them in a trap or net set for another species
  • took them temporarily under a Natural England licence (such as to ring or mark the bird)

This licence only applies to:

  • northern goshawks
  • corncrakes
  • common cranes
  • white-tailed eagles
  • red kites
  • red-billed choughs
  • capercaillies
  • barn owls

You do not need to apply for this general licence but you must meet its conditions and follow its instructions and you must comply with relevant animal welfare legislation at all times.

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