Man sets off on 53-mile walk dressed as a curlew

A man is walking 53 miles (85km) in a homemade bird costume to raise awareness and funds for conservation projects.

Matt Trevelyan, a farming officer for Nidderdale National Landscape, began the two-day challenge on Saturday and has been walking along the Nidderdale Way.

He crafted the 10ft-long (3m) costume of a Eurasian curlew - Europe's largest wading bird - out of polystyrene and bamboo.

Mr Trevelyan said: "Those who know me well know I was eventually going to build a giant curlew. She's a real beauty. I wanted to represent curlews well because they're such a beautiful bird."

The challenge coincides with World Curlew Day on Monday, which was created by Mary Colwell in 2017 to raise awareness of the dangers curlews face due to habitat loss, land-use changes and climate pressures.

Starting in Pateley Bridge, Mr Trevelyan's walk will pass through Middlesmoor, Guisecliff Wood and Brimham Rocks.

He said: "Nidderdale is really a stronghold for curlews, in fact the whole Pennine chain is a stronghold. But like other former strongholds there's been a huge decline in numbers.

"In the breeding season, getting chicks to fledgling stage is the problem. So curlew are really seriously on the decline.

"The causes of this are changes in the way we manage the landscape, particularly silage making.

"But it's not just farming; farming can be good for curlews. It's also predation – we have a high number of foxes and crows. And on top of that climate change and a whole host of issues."

Mr Trevelyan used his skills as a former puppet maker to create the costume.

He said: "The distinguishing thing about a curlew is its wonderful long bill.

"It's got a 4ft-long curved bill, which I'm quite worried about snagging in trees on the way, or tripping over and it snapping, but I've got a splint and I've got strong tape in case that happens.

"It's very lightweight luckily, but I am a bit worried about getting up on the tops because it's quite windy today.

"If it takes off, that's a victory, if I've made something that can fly that's really good news."

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