Related links
External links
Application forms
Guidance documents
Bird licensing - Licences for survey, science, research, ringing and marking and conservation
Bird surveys
Surveying for birds is a great way to get out and about into the countryside and there are a number of national schemes like the bird atlas 
that are looking for people to help monitor our birds.
Most bird surveys do not need a licence, but if a survey could involve disturbance to breeding Schedule 1 
species, or if it might require interfering with nests or nest contents or any other offence in relation to wild birds, then a licence would be required.
Scottish Natural Heritage are responsible for issuing survey licences for Schedule 1 bird species. Licences are only granted to experienced people, and generally only for certain species and in a specified area.
Application form for a bird survey licence 
The Nest Recording Scheme
Participants in the British Trust for Ornithology s Nest Record Scheme are permitted to briefly examine nest contents of non-schedule 1 species (by a licence that Scottish Natural Heritage issues to the Trust to allow registered participants to do so).
Bird ringing and marking
Catching and ringing wild birds requires a great deal of skill and experience in order to minimise the risk of injury and stress to the birds being caught.
The British Trust for Ornithology , under licence from Scottish Natural Heritage, operate a system of training and issue of permits to allow competent people to catch and ring wild birds in Scotland. If a person wishes to ring Schedule 1 species at the nest then Scottish Natural Heritage grant individual licences, but applications are still processed by the BTO.
The BTO also grants permits for catching wild birds using unconventional methods and to allow other tags or marks (such as satellite tags) to wild birds.
How to get a ringing permit/licence
Science, research and education
If you are planning any scientific or research work that could otherwise result in an offence in relation to wild birds, you should apply for a licence from Scottish Natural Heritage.