
Birds: licences for public health and safety and air safety
People and wildlife usually coexist happily but sometimes the presence of nesting birds close to people can result in problems.
People and wildlife usually coexist happily but sometimes the presence of nesting birds close to people can result in problems.
Where wild birds pose a threat to public health or safety, we may issue a licence to permit certain actions that might otherwise constitute an offence in relation to wild birds. There must be no satisfactory alternative.
This may include situations where problems arise as a result of some bird species using houses and other buildings as nest sites.
Read our information note to find out:
Public health and safety: Issues with nesting birds
If gulls are causing, or expected to cause, a public health and safety risk, you should address the issue as soon as possible. Failure to do so increases the risk and makes a long-term solution to the problem less likely. Read our Guidance on gull management.
We have two licence application forms for the purpose of preserving public health or safety for gulls. If you require a licence, please read the information below to determine which licence application form you should use.
If you are experiencing a public health or safety issue caused by gulls, then you can apply for a licence using our “Licence application form - to take or kill wild gulls, their nests or eggs (serious damage or public health & safety one-off / non-nesting adults)”, provided:
If you are experiencing a public health and safety issue, then you can apply using our “Licence application and return form - to take or kill wild gulls, their nests or eggs (multi-site / recurring sites)”, provided:
Birds may pose a risk to air safety. If you require a licence for this purpose please email [email protected] with the following information:
Where wild birds other than gulls pose a threat to public health or safety you can use our Licence application form to take or kill wild birds, their nests or eggs to apply for a licence.
Download the Licence application form – to take or kill wild birds, their nests or eggs
For some situations where birds pose a threat to public health and safety, you may instead use one of our general licences. These cover relatively commonplace and low-risk situations, and you don't need to apply to use them.
You should get in touch if you wish to amend a licence. Check your licence conditions first: you may be able to appoint agents and assistants without having to get them named on your licence.
Find out about adding persons to a licence.
You must also remember to contact us to renew your licence. Licences aren’t renewed automatically. We must receive a return before we can renew a licence.
If you already have a licence number, include it in the subject line of your email, or have it to hand when you call.
If you already have a licence number, include it in the subject line of your email, or have it to hand when you call.