What’s on the 2024 ‘pest birds’ general licences?

[Conor O'Gorman]

An overview from Shooting Times here:

What’s on the 2024 ‘pest birds’ licence? - ShootingUK

ShootingUK News - What’s on the 2024 ‘pest birds’ licence?

www.shootinguk.co.uk

Country specific species lists and links to the general licences below.

2024-2025 England general licences.

The species listed on at least one England general licence are Canada goose, carrion crow, Egyptian goose, feral pigeon, Indian house crow, jackdaw, jay, magpie, monk parakeet, ring-necked parakeet, rook, sacred ibis and woodpigeon.

Guidance and regulation

Find guidance and regulation from government

www.gov.uk

2024 Wales general licences.

The species listed on at least one Wales general licence are Canada goose, carrion crow, jackdaw, feral pigeon, ruddy duck and woodpigeon.

Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru - Dewis Iaith / Natural Resources Wales - Language Select

We are a Welsh Government Sponsored Body. Our purpose is to ensure that the natural resources of Wales are sustainably maintained, enhanced and used, now and in the future.

naturalresources.wales

2024 Scotland general licences.

The species listed on at least one Scotland general licence are Canada goose, carrion crow, feral pigeon, greylag goose, hooded crow, jackdaw, jay, magpie, rook, ruddy duck and woodpigeon.

https://www.nature.scot/professional-advice/protected-areas-and-species/licensing/species-licensing-z-guide/birds/general-licences-birds

2024 Northern Ireland interim general licences (1 Jan - 29 Feb).

The species currently listed on at least one Northern Ireland general licence are feral pigeon, hooded crow, jackdaw, magpie, rook and woodpigeon.

Wildlife Licensing

A wildlife licence is required if you want to disturb or remove protected wildlife or damage protected resting places in Northern Ireland.

www.daera-ni.gov.uk

 

[Pete1774]

GL42

GL42: general licence to kill or take certain species of wild birds to prevent serious damage

www.gov.uk

 

[mazperks]

I'm always surprised to see the Jay on the general licence. I see very few on my travels and never in groups like magpies or jackdaws. I dont think of them as corvids, probably because of their colouring.

 

[75]

I'm always surprised to see the Jay on the general licence. I see very few on my travels and never in groups like magpies or jackdaws. I dont think of them as corvids, probably because of their colouring.

Regularly have 6+ in the garden here…

 

[old keeper]

There are very few around here. It's been the same for years, just the odd one or two, but overall not many at all.

 

[the_greenman]

I find the BASC list easier to read and digest for the list of pests and which licence covers them (and keep a screenshot on my phone) than trawling through the full licenses - unless I'm looking for something specific such as method etc

 

[jall55]

I'm always surprised to see the Jay on the general licence. I see very few on my travels and never in groups like magpies or jackdaws. I dont think of them as corvids, probably because of their colouring.

Do serious damage to nesting birds round us - just a magpie in sunday best