Wild birds: licence for vets to rehabilitate certain species (GL08)
Use this general licence to keep disabled schedule 4 wild birds for up to 6 weeks to rehabilitate them.
Applies to England
Documents
Details
As a veterinary surgeon or practitioner, this licence lets you keep the following species for up to 6 weeks before you must register them:
- honey buzzards
- golden eagles
- white-tailed eagles
- peregrine falcons
- goshawks
- marsh harriers
- Montagu’s harriers
- merlins
- ospreys
You can keep these birds for up to 6 weeks without registering if:
- the bird is disabled
- you plan to rehabilitate and release it
- you’re giving the bird veterinary treatment
- you record all treatments
- you keep the treatment records for 2 years from when you received the bird
You do not need to apply for this licence but you must meet its conditions and follow its instructions.
Details
As a veterinary surgeon or practitioner, this licence lets you keep the following species for up to 6 weeks before you must register them:
- honey buzzards
- golden eagles
- white-tailed eagles
- peregrine falcons
- goshawks
- marsh harriers
- Montagu’s harriers
- merlins
- ospreys
You can keep these birds for up to 6 weeks without registering if:
- the bird is disabled
- you plan to rehabilitate and release it
- you’re giving the bird veterinary treatment
- you record all treatments
- you keep the treatment records for 2 years from when you received the bird
You do not need to apply for this licence but you must meet its conditions and follow its instructions.
Updates to this page
Last updated 1 January
-
Updated this licence to cover the period 1 January to 31 December 2025. Reworded several sections to make the information clearer. Updated licence condition 5 and the 'Avian influenza' information and advice note.
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 5 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.