A dedicated bird enthusiast undertook a remarkable 53-mile trek dressed as a giant Eurasian Curlew to raise awareness about one of the UK's most iconic yet endangered bird species. Matt Trevelyan, 46, donned a meticulously handmade three-metre-long costume of his favourite bird during the challenging journey through the Yorkshire Dales.
Starting from Pateley Bridge, Trevelyan embarked on the Nidderdale Way circuit over the Easter weekend before World Curlew Day, which falls on April 21st. His route formed a figure-eight, covering 25 miles on the first day—including a stop for lunch in Middlesmoor—and finishing with a 28-mile walk back to the starting point in Pateley Bridge on the second day. He was joined by friends and fellow nature enthusiasts throughout the trek, all united in championing conservation efforts for this increasingly imperilled species.
Crafted from materials such as split bamboo, muslin, and polystyrene, Matt’s costume—affectionately named Cathy—was a labour of love that took three days to complete, including detailed hand-painting. “It was a lot of trial and error – but I’m glad it came out so well as I wanted it to be as beautiful as the actual bird,” he told the Examiner Live. He described the process of making the head and beak as the most challenging part, but once completed, moving around in the lightweight costume was manageable. “As long as I pointed the beak in the correct direction and ducked underneath the occasional branch I was fine,” he added.
Matt’s motivation for the ambitious walk stemmed from a deep affection for the Eurasian Curlew and concern over its alarming decline in the UK. The bird, known for its melancholic and evocative song, has suffered a dramatic population reduction due to habitat loss, changing land use, and predation. “The curlew is my favourite bird and I’ve been saddened as their numbers have reduced massively around the UK,” Trevelyan said. He described hearing their “beautiful song” during his trek as a poignant experience that “pulls at your heartstrings.”
Nidderdale, where the walk took place, is one of the last bastions for the threatened curlew, but the population has halved over the last 20 years. According to Matt, only around 58,000 of these birds remain in the wild across the UK. He explained several factors contributing to their decline: “Curlews are habitual, meaning they return to the same field every year to lay eggs and tend their hatchlings. They prefer peaceful fields with tall grass, but these fields are often used by farmers for silage production, leading to accidental egg crushing or bird fatalities by tractors.”
He also highlighted the impact of natural predators, noting that “the UK has large populations of crows and foxes which steal the eggs or prey on the birds.” As a Farming in Protected Landscapes Officer, Matt is actively engaged in conservation and aims for his walk to inspire others to participate in protecting local wildlife responsibly. “It would be great if people were able to connect with nature by being careful when engaging and enjoying it,” he said. “If we were to lose the curlew we would lose a rich part of our wildlife and British culture.”
The walk served as a prelude to World Curlew Day, established in 2017 by conservationist Mary Colwell to raise global awareness about the challenges faced by the curlew, which include habitat degradation and climate-related stresses. Trevelyan’s efforts, marked by determination and creativity, garnered attention for the plight of this distinctive bird and underscored the ongoing need for conservation action in the UK.
Source: Noah Wire Services