
The Schedules
Information on the schedules outlining laws relating to the treatment and protection of birds in the UK and internationally.
Schedule 1
Schedule 1 - Part I
Birds and their young, for which it is an offence to intentionally or recklessly disturb at, on or near an ‘active’ nest:
- Avocet
- Bee-eater
- Bittern
- Bittern, little
- Bluethroat
- Brambling
- Bunting, cirl
- Bunting, Lapland
- Bunting, snow
- Buzzard, honey
- Capercaillie (Scotland only)
- Chough
- Corncrake
- Crake, spotted
- Crossbills (all species)
- Divers (all species)
- Dotterel
- Duck, long-tailed
- Eagle, golden
- Eagle, white-tailed
- Falcon, gyr
- Fieldfare
- Firecrest
- Garganey
- Godwit, black-tailed
- Goshawk
- Grebe, black-necked
- Grebe, Slavonian
- Greenshank
- Gull, little
- Gull, Mediterranean
- Harriers (all species)
- Heron, purple
- Hobby
- Hoopoe
- Kingfisher
- Kite, red
- Merlin
- Oriole, golden
- Osprey
- Owl, barn
- Owl, snowy
- Peregrine
- Petrel, Leach's
- Phalarope, red-necked
- Plover, Kentish
- Plover, little ringed
- Quail, common
- Redstart, black
- Redwing
- Rosefinch, scarlet
- Ruff
- Sandpiper, green
- Sandpiper, purple
- Sandpiper, wood
- Scaup
- Scoter, common
- Scoter, velvet
- Serin
- Shorelark
- Shrike, red-backed
- Spoonbill
- Stilt, black-winged
- Stint, Temminck's
- Stone-curlew
- Swan, Bewick's
- Swan, whooper
- Tern, black
- Tern, little
- Tern, roseate
- Tit, bearded
- Tit, crested
- Treecreeper, short-toed
- Warbler, Cetti's
- Warbler, Dartford
- Warbler, marsh
- Warbler, Savi's
- Whimbrel
- Woodlark
- Wryneck
Schedule 1 - Part II
Birds afforded special protection during the close season which is 1 February to 31 August (21 February to 31 August below high water mark) but which may be killed or taken outside this period.
- Goldeneye
- Pintail
- Greylag goose (in Outer Hebrides, Caithness, Sutherland and Wester Ross only).
Schedule 2
Schedule 2 - Part I
Birds protected during the close season (1 February to 31 August) but which may be killed or taken outside this period. Close season for ducks and geese when below high water mark is 21 February to 31 August.
- Capercaillie - close season 1 February to 30 September (not Scotland)
- Coot
- Duck, tufted
- Gadwall
- Goldeneye
- Goose, Canada
- Goose, greylag
- Goose, pink-footed
- Goose, white-fronted (England and Wales only)
- Mallard
- Moorhen
- Pintail
- Plover, golden
- Pochard
- Shoveler
- Snipe, common (close season 1 February to 11 August)
- Teal
- Wigeon
- Woodcock (close season 1 February to 30 September except Scotland where 1 February to 31 August)
Schedule 3
Schedule 3 - Part I
Birds which may be sold alive at all times if fitted with an approved ring and bred in captivity.
- Blackbird
- Brambling
- Bullfinch
- Bunting, reed
- Chaffinch
- Dunnock
- Goldfinch
- Greenfinch
- Jackdaw
- Jay
- Linnet
- Magpie
- Owl, barn
- Redpoll
- Siskin
- Starling
- Thrush, song
- Twite
- Yellowhammer
Schedule 3 - Part II
Birds which may be sold dead (at all times).
- Woodpigeon
Schedule 3 - Part III
Birds which may be sold dead from 1 September to 28 February.
- Capercaillie (not Scotland)
- Coot
- Duck, tufted
- Mallard
- Pintail
- Plover, golden
- Pochard
- Shoveler
- Snipe, common
- Teal
- Wigeon
- Woodcock
Schedule 4
Birds which must be ringed and registered with the government if they are kept in captivity.
- Buzzard, honey
- Eagle, golden
- Eagle, white-tailed
- Goshawk
- Harrier, marsh
- Harrier, Montagu's
- Merlin
- Osprey
- Peregrine
How you can help
