Bird and Art Walk with James Tomlinson for the Friends of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve (01.12.24)

'Notes' a walk with James Tomlinson around Flatbeach

Join James, an artist and birder living and working in Rye, East Sussex, on his walk in aid of the Friends of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve. James has been picking highlights from his sketchbook of work taken from the nature reserve. He'll be showcasing these bird paintings in an exhibition at the Discovery Centre's Art Wall from Sunday 1st December through to January. He’s a loyal supporter of the nature reserve with an infectious enthusiasm for nature.

He’ll lead a short walk from Rye Harbour car park, in a loop finishing at the Discovery Centre. From 8am for approximately 2 hours, he'll point out birds, and explain how he sees the nature reserve through his sketchbook and memory to the finished work. Influenced by street art as a teenager, James progressed to the medium of acrylics and is currently producing work in watercolour and pencils.

“I like watercolour as it is spontaneous. I choose to work in the field but catching birds’ movements and gestures is not easy as they don’t stay still for long.”

The Friends of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve contribute to the work of the nature reserve in many ways. To find out more, visit their website.

Included in the price: James' walk is £12.50, including a cup of tea or coffee at the Discovery Centre.

Booking essential: Numbers are limited, to book please contact James Tomlinson directly by messaging him on his Facebook account, here.

Location: Meet at Rye Harbour car park, Harbour Road, Rye Harbour, TN31 7TY.

What to wear/bring: Binoculars will be handy if you have them. We advise dressing suitably for the weather conditions, and bear in mind that the weather can be changeable on the nature reserve where it is exposed with very little shelter.

Accessibility: The walk will end at Rye Harbour Discovery Centre, a wheelchair-friendly venue, with a step-free entrance ramp and two wheelchair accessible toilets. Most of the route is easy for wheelchairs, and the bird hides are accessible. However a section has some uneven and loose surfaces, making it moderately difficult for manual wheelchairs.