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Wild birds: record your non-lethal actions

Find out the requirements for recording non-lethal actions for wild bird control licences, and download the record of non-lethal actions template.

From:
Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
Published:
3 August 2026

Applies to England

Documents

Record of non-lethal actions (template)

ODS, 8.17 KB

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Details

You must provide a list of non-lethal actions you’ve taken when you apply for a licence, renew a licence, or report your actions on a licence to: 

You can use the template on this page or you can provide a record of your actions in another format, as long as you include the same information. For example, if you gather the information using an app, you can submit the output from the app. 

Your record should include descriptions of the non-lethal deterrent methods you’ve used. Examples include: 

  • shooting to scare 
  • falconry 
  • human disturbance, such as clapping, shouting, driving vehicles 
  • static visual deterrents such as scarecrows 
  • static audio deterrents such as gas guns 
  • fish refuges 
  • proofing, such as netting and wires 

Find out more about legal methods to help deter certain wild birds without a licence. 

New licences 

As part of your application for a new licence, you must submit a record of non-lethal actions you’ve taken to deter wild birds.  

You’ll be asked to submit your record when you complete the licence application form. 

The record must cover a period of at least one month. You must provide a daily summary of actions taken. 

Your record of non-lethal actions must include: 

  • the date of the action 
  • the deterrent methods used 
  • the species and number of birds present – you can estimate in 10’s, 100’s or 1000’s per species if necessary 
  • how effective the deterrent was 

You must also include details of any long-term deterrent methods you’ve used, such as visual deterrents, modification of loafing and roosting areas, habitat management (such as fish refuges). 

Renewing your licence and reporting actions 

If you’ve taken any action under your licence, or you want to renew your licence, you must submit a record of non-lethal actions you’ve taken to deter wild birds. You’ll be asked to submit your record when you complete the reporting form. 

You can record this as monthly summaries, covering the whole licence period.  

Your record of non-lethal actions must include: 

  • the month of each action 
  • the deterrent methods used 
  • the species and number of birds present – this should be the monthly average and peak counts for each species on your licence 
  • how effective the deterrents were 

You must also include details of any long-term deterrent methods you’ve used, such as visual deterrents, modification of loafing and roosting areas, habitat management (such as fish refuges). 

You must submit a reporting form within 14 days of the licence expiry, even if you have not taken any action or do not want to renew your licence.

Updates to this page

Published 3 August 2026

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