This year we'll be hosting a special new event over the May bank holiday weekend - our Inspired by Nature spring festival.
In addition to events celebrating our wonderful springtime wildlife we'll be playing host to local artists, photographers and writers - here's our programme below:
Inspired by Nature Spring Festival
Friday 8 May, Saturday 9 May & Sunday 10 May
Time: 10 am – 4 pm
Cost: Nature trail entry fees apply.
Charges apply to bookable events and taster workshops (see details)
Spend the bank holiday weekend celebrating springtime wildlife on our lovely nature reserve. Friendly guides will be stationed in our wildlife hotspots and there will be mini masterclasses designed to take you behind the scenes or give you some special hints and tips on finding and identifying wildlife.
We’ll also be playing host to local artists, photographers and writers who have been inspired by nature and the landscape of the South Downs. They’ll be exhibiting their work (with items available to purchase) and running demonstrations and taster workshops throughout the weekend.
Friday 8 May
Reptile Ramble 10 am – 12 noon £20 per person / £16 for RSPB members (designed for adults) Booking essential – please call 01798 875851
We’ll begin with tea and coffee and an introduction to the reptile species that live here, their ecology and behaviour and where and how to look for them. You’ll then head out with our reptile survey team to search our reptile hotspots around the nature reserve. As we’ll be a small group there should be chance to go ‘off trail’ and hopefully to take photographs of these stunning creatures.
Nature writing for beginners workshop with Tiffany Francis Baker 11 am – 12.30 pm. Cost £15 per person. Booking essential – please email Pulborough.brooks@rspb.org.uk
A relaxed introduction to nature writing led by local nature writer & author of Dark Skies Tiffany Francis-Baker. Tiffany will run a few gentle and fun exercises to build your confidence and get you started. Tea, coffee & biscuits included. Tiffany will also be exhibiting and selling her work.
Nature photography taster workshop with John Dominick 2 pm – 3 pm. Cost £10 per person. Booking essential – please email Pulborough.brooks@rspb.org.uk
Designed for people who are looking for opportunities to photograph nature and want to learn how to make better use of their camera. John will give you some hints and tips on composition and you’ll then have the opportunity to test out some new ideas on some of our wonderful wildlife. If the weather is suitable, we’ll have some moths – perfect for trying our macro or close up photography and compostion. John will also be exhibiting and selling his work
Artist Emily Summers, uses coloured pencils to create stunning drawings of British wildlife. Come and see Emily in action and find out about our Inspired by Nature art workshops. Emily will be exhibiting and selling her work.
Artist, sculptor & filmmaker Steve Geliot will be exhibiting some of his work and doing a live sculpting demonstration – there may even be chance for you to have a go too.
Saturday 9 May
The not quite dawn chorus 7.30 am – 10 am £25 per person / £20 for RSPB members Booking essential - please call 01798 875851
If you’re keen to enjoy incredible bird song but don’t want to wake up at 3 am, this is the event for you! We’ll hope to see and hear our most celebrated songster – the nightingale. Despite their name, nightingales will sing during the day time and they’ll be joined by a choir of brilliant warblers. Our friendly guides will lead you around the reserve to enjoy the performance and then we’ll return to the Visitor Centre for tea, coffee and a breakfast bap.
Nature photography taster workshop with John Dominick 11 am – 12 noon See Friday 8 May for details.
Artists Emily Summers & Steve Geliot will also be joining us for the day.
Printing workshop with Anna Allum. Sessions at 2 pm and 2.45 pm. Cost £10 per bag. Booking essential – please email Pulborough.brooks@rspb.org.uk
Print your own cotton bag using handmade wildlife-themed stamps created by printmaker Anna Allum and find out about our Inspired by Nature craft workshops. You’ll have the choice of a cotton tote bag or cotton drawstring bag. Booking essential Cost: £10 per bag
Sunday 10 May
Pond dipping (open to all) 1.30 pm – 3.30 pm No additional charge & no need to book
Meet some of the fascinating creatures who lurk in the depths of our pond (with the help of a net!) We’ll use microscopes to take a closer look at some of the incredible but tiny creatures.
Nature photography taster workshop with John Dominick 10.30 am – 11.30 am See Friday 8 May for details.
Printing workshop with Anna Allum. Sessions at 12 noon and 12.45 pm. See Saturday 9 May for details