The control of “pest species” such as magpies and other corvids is governed by a series of general licences issued under Section 16 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (“the Act”). Use of Larsen traps as a method of capturing birds is also regulated by a general licence.
As you will be aware, all wild birds are protected under the Act. It is therefore an offence to kill, take, injure etc. any wild bird. Having established this fundamental principle, the Act then allows for exceptions to be made in certain specific circumstances. The Section 16 licences represent one means of “derogating” from the universal prohibition on killing, taking or injuring a wild bird.
