Man in a Giant Bird Costume Walks 53 Miles to Save the Real Ones
Matt Trevelyan, a former puppet maker turned farming officer in Yorkshire, England, has taken bird conservation to towering new heights — quite literally.
Last weekend, Trevelyan donned a 10-foot handmade costume of a Eurasian curlew and walked 53 miles across the scenic Nidderdale Way. His mission? To raise awareness for the curlew, Europe’s largest wading bird and a species in serious decline.
The towering bird replica, nicknamed “Cathy the Curlew,” was crafted from bamboo and polystyrene and launched into the public eye just in time for World Curlew Day (April 21) — a date set aside since 2017 to spotlight threats like climate change, habitat destruction, and shifting land use.
“Those who know me well know I was eventually going to build a giant curlew,” Trevelyan told the BBC. “She’s a real beauty.”
Trevelyan, known for his whimsical giant puppets, turned a passing joke into a conservation statement. With tunnel vision from Cathy’s 4-foot curved beak and a lightweight frame vulnerable to gusts of wind, the journey was no easy feat. But he completed the two-day trek from Pateley Bridge to Brimham Rocks, talking to onlookers and raising both eyebrows and funds.
Why the Curlew Matters
The Eurasian curlew is on the UK’s Red List of species facing the highest conservation concern. Once common across Britain, these elegant birds are now rapidly disappearing, even in former strongholds like Nidderdale.
Trevelyan warned, “We need around 10,000 more curlews a year to rebuild a sustainable population. Just one fledged chick every two years per pair would be enough — but we’re not even close.”
His concerns echo the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, which released a new action plan on World Curlew Day, calling on the government to do more — particularly by supporting farmers who help protect nests and maintain curlew habitats.
Conservation Beyond the Costume
Outside of his viral birdwalk, Trevelyan works hands-on with Nidderdale National Landscape to promote curlew-friendly land management. His team helps farmers protect nests, and he’s also created public guidelines on how everyday people can support conservation.
These include:
- Keeping dogs on leads in nesting areas
- Supporting habitat restoration efforts
- Avoiding disruption of breeding grounds
“There are actions for everyone,” he said. “We all have the power to change outcomes for curlew.”
As for the future of Cathy the Curlew?
“If it takes off, that’s a victory,” Trevelyan joked. “If I’ve made something that can fly, that’s really good news.”
