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Vancouver Sun

Brit dressed as giant bird walks 85 km in support of endangered curlew

Article content This one is for the birds. Article content A bird enthusiast recently walked 85 km dressed in a homemade bird costume to raise awareness for one of Great Britain's most iconic and threatened birds. Article content Matt Trevelyan, 46, made the trek dressed as his favourite winged species – the Eurasian curlew – which is endangered in the United Kingdom. Article content The elaborate costume was three yards long and was made out of split bamboo, muslin and polystyrene. Article content Article content Trevelyan, a Farming in Protected Landscapes officer, walked with friends and family around the Nidderdale Way route in the Yorkshire Dales in support of conservation projects. Article content Article content 'They have such a beautiful song — it pulls at your heart strings — it was great to hear it whilst walking the awareness-raising adventure.' Article content The bird lover finished the walk over the Saturday and Sunday of Easter weekend ahead of World Curlew Day on April 21. Article content Article content The day was created in 2017 by Mary Colwell to raise awareness of the declining numbers of curlews and the issues they face because of habitat loss, land-use changes and climate pressures. Article content Article content The walker covered 40 km on the first day, including a 22.5-km trek, before stopping for lunch and then going another 17 km. On Day 2, he walked and occasionally ran the remaining 45 km. Article content 'The walk was a joy — there were beautiful views and the weather was perfect,' Trevelyan said. Article content 'I underestimated how fast I could walk, meaning I was trundling along for a solid 12 hours a day.