Falconry Quarry Licence - Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find the applications form, and how long does it last?
The application form can be found on the DEFRA web site. The licence covers the period from 1 st September till the last day of February in the following year.
What information is provided on the form?
The form contains a list of bird species that may be taken for falconry purposes and lists the maximum number that can be applied for per raptor included in the licence.
What is the purpose of the Falconry Quarry Licence?
This licence is specifically for the purpose of hunting wild birds for sport. It is not applicable if there is any commercial aspect (crop protection, public health and safety, air safety or where you are using trained hawks as a non-lethal option for one of these examples) in relation to the use of your hawks.
What does my bird need to qualify?
It is a condition of the licence that each bird included on the licence must be either microchipped and/or close rung, licenses will not be issued for birds that are not “permanently marked”.
What do I need to do at the end of the season?
Each licence issued is accompanied by a “report of action” form, this report, including nil returns, must be returned to Natural England within 14 days of the expiry of the licence, failure to do so constitutes a breach of the licence and can delay the renewal of a licence or in some circumstances will result in the licence not being renewed.
How many counties can my Falconry Quarry Licence cover?
The application form allows you to list up to 5 counties within which you wish to use the licence.
Can I share the licence between other falconers and/or birds?
The licence is person/raptor specific and will not cover a person/raptor who is not named/identified on the licence
Do I need a Falconry Quarry Licence for the use of trained raptors as a non-lethal option to disperse/disturb nesting pest species (i.e. urban gulls and feral pigeons etc)?
In relation to the use of trained raptors for non-lethal scaring activities during the target species breeding season, the person undertaking the activity should be aware that although there is no specific disturbance offence for non-Schedule 1 species, disturbance of breeding birds with dependent eggs or chicks through Hawking/Falconry activities can potentially lead to abandonment of the clutch/dependant chicks, this could be considered an offence in relation to the un licensed taking/destruction of those eggs or the unlicensed taking/killing of any chicks. In addition to these points, if a trained raptor was to “Take” a chick, that also could be considered an offence in relation to the un licenses taking/killing of chicks. Natural England recommends that when trained raptors are to be used during the breeding season of the target species a risk assessment should be undertaken ahead of any flying of trained raptors takes place.
If the potential for an offence to be committed cannot be ruled out, the falconer will need to decide if an alternative non-lethal action needs to be used.
Risk of disturbance of breeding schedule 1 species whilst flying trained raptors.
Over the past decade there has been a noticeable increase of instances where peregrine falcons in particular are establishing year-round territories in large towns and cities, which has the knock-on effect in that young of the year stay within the adult’s territory well into the autumn and some over winter in those territories as well instead of dispersing in the autumn.
Schedule one species have an increased level of protection during their breeding season, the legislation states ….
if any person intentionally or recklessly(a)disturbs any wild bird included in Schedule 1 while it is building a nest or is in, on or near a nest containing eggs or young;
or
(b)disturbs dependent young of such a bird,
he shall be guilty of an offence.
The commonest situation where a falconer falls foul of this protection is associated with poor or nil presence/absence surveys of the work area being undertaken as part of the initial site visit/ service starting. If at any point the flying of a trained raptor results in a territorial defence response from a schedule 1 species, the train raptor should be immediately recalled. A conversation will need to be had with the client to make them aware of the legalities of continuing to fly the trained hawk and other non-lethal options will need to be explored/deployed to ensure that an offence does not happen again.
The other situation where this offence may manifest is flying displays at shows/events. Event organisers and display providers need to be aware of the potential for schedule 1 raptors (peregrines/red kites/goshawks etc) to be breeding in the vicinity of the show ground and the presence of a free flying trained raptor or a drone being sent up ahead of the trained raptor being released can result in a territorial defence response occurring, as with the early mentioned scenario, a reappraisal of the risk of an offence being committed needs to be considered.
Although there is no definition of disturbance in the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, it is generally taken to mean activities which affect the natural behaviour of birds at or near the nest.