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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