A female curlew nicknamed Mrs Ogdens has shattered records as the oldest ringed bird in the UK, after birdwatchers spotted her in Hampshire’s New Forest at an estimated age of 33 years and nine months.
The landmark sighting was confirmed by the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT), which recaptured Mrs Ogdens in 2022 at age 29 and fitted her with a satellite tag. Her survival defies the species’ steep decline, with curlews now listed as critically endangered in the UK due to habitat loss and predation.
📋 By The Numbers
- 32 years, 7 months — Previous UK longevity record for a curlew
- 29 years old — Age when Mrs Ogdens successfully fledged a chick in the New Forest
- 2020 — Year GWCT researcher Elli Rivers began studying curlews in the New Forest
Mrs Ogdens was first ringed as a juvenile on Brownsea Island in Poole Harbour, Dorset, in the early 1990s. Her annual migrations between Poole Harbour and the New Forest’s Avon Valley pastures have been tracked for decades, revealing a rare fidelity to specific habitats.
| Curlew Longevity Record | UK | Ireland |
|---|---|---|
| Previous record | 32 years, 7 months | 32 years |
| New record (Mrs Ogdens) | 33 years, 9 months | N/A |
Elli Rivers, GWCT’s curlew researcher, called Mrs Ogdens’ survival a testament to the New Forest’s protected habitats. "She’s proven that if conditions are right, curlews can thrive into old age," Rivers said. "But this isn’t the whole picture—while she’s thriving, many others aren’t."
💡 Pro Tip
If spotting curlews, visit the New Forest’s Avon Valley pastures at dawn or dusk, when they’re most active. Avoid closed areas marked with red "stop" signs to protect nesting grounds.
Despite her longevity, curlews face existential threats. The UK’s breeding population has plummeted by 60% since 1995, with fewer than 500 breeding pairs remaining. GWCT data shows that only 1 in 5 curlew eggs successfully hatch due to predation and habitat degradation.
Key Points
- ✅ Mrs Ogdens, ringed in the 1990s, is now the UK’s oldest curlew at 33 years and 9 months
- ⚡ Her survival highlights the New Forest’s role as a critical habitat for the species
- 💡 Researchers warn that while outliers like Mrs Ogdens survive, the broader population is in steep decline
Forestry England has restricted access to key nesting sites in the New Forest, including Ogdens, Clayhill, and Crockford car parks, to safeguard ground-nesting birds. Orange warning signs mark nest proximity, while red "stop" signs block off high-risk areas entirely.
- 📊 Only 20% of curlew eggs in the UK hatch successfully
- 🔍 Predation by foxes and crows is a leading cause of nest failure
- ⚠️ Habitat loss has reduced suitable breeding grounds by 30% in the last decade
Rivers’ research offers a glimmer of hope: in 2024, a one-year-old curlew returned to the New Forest to breed, suggesting some resilience in the population. "This shows curlews can bounce back if we give them the space and protection they need," she said. "But time is running out."
- Protect nesting sites — Avoid closed areas in the New Forest during breeding season
- Support conservation — Report curlew sightings to GWCT’s monitoring program
- Advocate for policy — Push for expanded habitat protections under the UK’s Red List for birds
The New Forest’s special protection status has been pivotal in Mrs Ogdens’ survival, but Rivers warns it’s not enough. "We need coordinated action across landowners, policymakers, and the public to turn the tide for curlews," she said.
