Statutory guidance

Wild birds: licence to remove abandoned or unsuccessful eggs (GL12)

Get a general licence to remove abandoned or unsuccessful eggs from wild birds' nests between 1 September and 31 January.

From:
Natural England
Published
1 January 2015
Last updated
1 January 2024 — See all updates

Applies to England

Documents

Licence to remove abandoned or unsuccessful eggs from the nests of wild birds (GL12)

HTML

Details

This licence lets you remove abandoned or unsuccessful eggs from wild birds’ nests.

You can only use this licence if you’re the land owner, occupier or anyone authorised by the owner or occupier, or you’ve been authorised in writing by:

  • the local authority
  • any England, Scotland or Wales conservation body
  • a district board for fisheries or local fisheries committee
  • the Environment Agency
  • a water or sewerage undertaker

You can only remove eggs (or parts of eggs) from:

  • nest boxes that are not currently in use
  • 1 September to 31 January

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

What you cannot do with this licence

This licence does not let you:

  • sell, hire, barter or exchange an egg (or part of an egg)
  • keep an egg (or part of an egg)

Updates to this page

Published 1 January 2015
Last updated 1 January 2024 + show all updates

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

  2. Annual licence updates, valid from 1 January 2023.

  3. Annual licence update, valid from 1 January 2022.

  4. Annual licence update.

  5. Accessible version of licence added - HTML.

  6. Replaced licence with new version issued 1 January 2020

  7. Replaced licence with new version issued 1 January 2019

  8. Replaced licence with new version issued 1 January 2018

  9. Replaced licence with new version issued 1 January 2017

  10. Replaced licence with new version issued 1 January 2016

  11. First published.

Sign up for emails or print this page

Related content