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Toronto Sun
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Toronto Sun
Brit dressed as giant bird walks 85 km in support of endangered curlew
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 -- the Eurasian curlew. Photo by SCREEN GRAB / NIDDERDALE NATIONAL LANDSCAPE This one is for the birds. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account 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. Matt Trevelyan, 46, made the trek dressed as his favourite winged species – the Eurasian curlew – which is endangered in the United Kingdom. The elaborate costume was three yards long and was made out of split bamboo, muslin and polystyrene. 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. 'The curlew is my favourite bird and I've been saddened as their numbers have reduced massively around the U.K., he said, per the New York Post . 'They have such a beautiful song — it pulls at your heart strings — it was great to hear it whilst walking the awareness-raising adventure.' Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Read More The bird lover finished the walk over the Saturday and Sunday of Easter weekend ahead of World Curlew Day on April 21. 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. 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. 'The walk was a joy — there were beautiful views and the weather was perfect,' Trevelyan said. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'I underestimated how fast I could walk, meaning I was trundling along for a solid 12 hours a day. 'The costume was fairly easy to walk in as it was very lightweight. 'As long as I pointed the beak in the correct direction and ducked underneath the occasional branch I was fine.' RECOMMENDED VIDEO He said it took him three days to create the costume, which included a four-yard-long beak and hand-painted details. '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 said. 'The hardest part to make was the head and the beak, which was quite tricky, but once that was out the way it was a lot easier to finish. 'I was never worried about the walk. I just wanted to make sure I had done a good job with the costume.' The enthusiasts said Nidderdale Way is one of the last remaining strongholds for the endangered bird. The numbers of the bird have reportedly halved over the last 20 years with only 58,000 remaining in the wild. Canada Federal Elections Toronto Blue Jays Sports Federal Elections
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Volunteers flocking to aid iconic bird's recovery
THE iconic call of the curlew for generations has been associated with the start of spring. Sadly, the curlew is one of the country's most rapidly declining breeding bird species. But in Cumbria, volunteers are now flocking to a project whose aim is to bring these birds back from the brink. A volunteer evening hosted by the Melbreak Curlew Recovery Project proved a resounding success, with 48 new volunteers wanting to become actively involved. The Curlew Recovery Project, based in and around the Cocker Valley, started early in 2024 in response to the rapidly declining number of curlews, which are now on the Red List of the UK Conservation Status Report of endangered species. Diane Clarke, who was part of the team that saved four curlew nests last year, from which eleven chicks successfully hatched, spoked about her rewarding experience as one of the first volunteers BTO expert, Thalia, with ringed chicks (Image: Supplied) There followed a 'speed dating' session, comprising four tables with displays, each hosted by an experienced volunteer, describing the various volunteer opportunities – Surveys and Mapping, Nest Finding and Monitoring, and Protective Fencing and Maintenance. READ MORE: Volunteers were able to visit each table to learn what is involved and to see and handle all the equipment used. Last, but not least, 'The Engine Room' covered administrative roles, monitoring and analysing information, publicity and fundraising. As well as visual storyboards about the life of the curlew, a recording of the delightful song of the curlew was periodically played. 'The response from new volunteers has been amazing and we are delighted to welcome them to the group', said David Gardiner, Chair of Melbreak Curlew Recovery Project. 'We have received very positive feedback, which clearly demonstrates that residents, farmers and landowners alike, some beyond our local area, share a deep seated concern and interest in recovering nature and wildlife. "With extra funding from Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL), we have been able to purchase further equipment and we now look forward to extending our work by protecting an increasing number of nests. With the help of our extra volunteers, we are on track to do just that! "The first spring curlews have already been heard in the valley and we are excited about the year ahead.' Diana Clarke said: 'It's such a privilege to be involved in this project. I have learnt so much about these wonderful birds and it makes me all the more determined to do all I can to save them' For further information, or if you would like to be involved with the Curlew Recovery Project, please contact David Gardiner If anyone sees or hears curlews in and around the Cocker Valley, an email to sightingsatmelbreakcurlews@ would be appreciated, with the date, time and location. The Curlew Recovery Project has been funded by Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) and is part of the Melbreak Wildlife Group, an initiative of the Melbreak Communities.
