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The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
Flower borders in front of RSPB The Lodge reserve, Bedfordshire Family Birdwatching through living room window Nestbox on tree, RSPB Wood of Cree reserve
Advice

Law

  • Barn owls
  • Frequently asked questions
  • Old egg collections
  • What's in the roof

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Home > Advice > Law

Law

Find out how wild birds and their eggs and nests are protected by the law and where you can go to find out more detailed information. More...

Report a wildlife crime

Have you seen a crime against a wild bird? Use this form to report a wildlife crime to the RSPB. More...

Poisoned red kite

Barn owls and the law

The RSPB receives many enquiries regarding captive barn owls, mostly from people who have seen one in captivity or advertised for sale. More...

Barn owl hovering

Injured wild birds and the law

It is legal to take in and keep most injured wild birds for the purpose of looking after them and releasing them as soon as they are fit. More...

Female hen harrier in flight, carrying nest material

The law and garden hedges

There are several things to take into account when planning a hedge or considering doing maintenance on one. More...

Song thrush singing

Old egg collections

It has been illegal to take birds' eggs from the wild since 1954. Since September 1982, with the introduction of the 1981 Wildlife and Countryside Act, it has also been against the law simply to possess the egg of any British wild bird. More...

Daniel Lingham illegal egg collection

What's in the roof?

Many people only realise they have birds in the roof when they are woken up by the noise of nestlings early one morning. More...

Starling on concrete

About the RSPB

The RSPB speaks out for birds and wildlife, tackling the problems that threaten our environment. We rely upon memberships and donations to fund our work. Nature is amazing - help us keep it that way. More...

Contact us

Visit our Contact us section for telephone numbers, office addresses and more.

Latest news

Woodland birds in decline

Latest results from the BTO/JNCC/RSPB Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) puts woodland birds at the top of the list of declining species.

New wetland could see continental birds arriving in Kent

Restoration of a large area of Kent countryside to wildlife-rich wetland could see the garden of England become a landing pad for bird species moving north from Europe as the climate warms.

Seabird failure continues for another year

Early reports of seabird breeding performance on some RSPB coastal reserves, especially in parts of Scotland and Wales, indicate continuing problems for internationally-important populations of guillemots, kittiwakes and other seabirds.

More news...

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© 2008 The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. Charity registered in England and Wales no 207076, in Scotland no SC037654
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Last published: 26/02/2008 11:03:47
Show/hide picture credits
Poisoned red kite - (RSPB, Ref: 2953249-00023-000)
Barn owl hovering - Nigel Blake
Female hen harrier in flight, carrying nest material - Chris Gomersall (rspb-images.com, Ref: 1303076_00057_002)
Song thrush singing - Nigel Blake
Daniel Lingham illegal egg collection - (RSPB)
Starling on concrete - Steve Round
Flower borders in front of RSPB The Lodge reserve, Bedfordshire - Andy Hay (rspb-images.com, Ref: 1999_0503_009 )
Family Birdwatching through living room window - Andy Hay (rspb-images.com)
Nestbox on tree, RSPB Wood of Cree reserve - Andy Hay (rspb-images.com, Ref: D_2006_11968_0009 )
Bird illustrations by Mike Langman (RSPB)