The protected species list on this page is specific to the Bird Atlas 2007–2011 project. See the Schedule 1 page for an up-to-date list of Schedule 1 species.
Protected species Britain
The species listed below are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 as amended by the Environmental Protection Act 1990. It is an offence to intentionally disturb any of these species during the breeding season without a valid licence.
Whilst licences can be sought, there was no specific need to visit nests (of these or any species) for the Atlas, because proof of breeding can be documented in other ways (e.g. from observations of adults carrying food or faeces).
If you did encounter one of these species and suspected breeding we asked for the Atlas Coordinator (birdatlas@bto.org) to be contacted so that we could determine if there was already a nearby licence holder, if it was a target species for ringing or the Nest Record Scheme.
List of Schedule 1 species relevant to Bird Atlas 2007–2011
See the Schedule 1 page for an up-to-date list of Schedule 1 species.
- Avocet
- Bee-eater
- Bittern
- Bittern, Little
- Bluethroat
- Brambling
- Bunting, Cirl
- Bunting, Lapland
- Bunting, Snow
- Buzzard, Honey
- Chough
- Corncrake
- Crake, Spotted
- Crossbill, (all species)
- Curlew, Stone
- Diver, Black-throated
- Diver, Great Northern
- Diver, Red-throated
- Dotterel
- Eagle, White-tailed
- Falcon, Gyr
- Fieldfare
- Firecrest
- Garganey
- Goldeneye
- Godwit, Black-tailed
- Duck, Long-tailed
- Eagle, Golden
- Goose, Greylag
- Goshawk
- Grebe, Black - necked
- Grebe, Slavonian
- Greenshank
- Gull, Little
- Gull, Mediterranean
- Harrier (all species)
- Heron, Purple
- Hobby
- Hoopoe
- Kingfisher
- Kite, Red
- Merlin
- Oriole, Golden
- Osprey
- Owl, Barn
- Owl, Snowy
- Peregrine
- Petrel, Leach's
- Phalarope, Red-necked
- Pintail
- Plover, Kentish
- Plover, Little Ringed
- Quail
- 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
- 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
Protected species Ireland
The Wildlife Acts, 1976 and 2000 provide for the protection of all wild birds and their nests, eggs and young throughout the state. The exemptions are the "pest" species listed in the third schedule to the Wildlife Act 1976. This is in accordance with the provisions of the Birds Directive. Under these acts it is an offence to intentionally disturb any of these species during the breeding season. There was no specific need to visit nests (of these or any species) for the Atlas, as proof of breeding can be documented in other ways (e.g. from observations of adults carrying food or faeces).