Change of https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/wild-birds-licence-to-remove-abandoned-or-unsuccessful-eggs

Change description : 2026-01-01 00:01:00: Updated this licence to cover the period 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2030. [Guidance and regulation]

Showing diff : 2025-01-01 00:02:42.151316331 +00:00..2026-01-01 00:56:03.400549083 +00:00

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.

Applies to England

Documents

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 20252026 + show href="#full-history">+ show all updates
    1. Updated this licence to cover the period 1 January to 31 December 2025. Reworded several sections to make the information clearer. Updated licence condition 4 and the 'Avian influenza' information and advice note.

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Update history

2026-01-01 00:01
Updated this licence to cover the period 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2030.

2025-01-01 00:01
Updated this licence to cover the period 1 January to 31 December 2025. Reworded several sections to make the information clearer. Updated licence condition 4 and the ‘Avian influenza’ information and advice note.

2024-01-01 00:01
There is an update to this licence for 1 January 2024.

2023-01-01 00:15
Annual licence updates, valid from 1 January 2023.