Meet wildlife animator: Will Rose

Laura Ross

Communications Officer, Rye Harbour Nature Reserve

From working on some of the most popular children's shows around the world, Will combined his love of storytelling and design, to showcase his number one love; wildlife. 

Tell us a bit about yourself 

I'm an animator and designer with a passion for the natural world. Based in London, I have over 20 years of experience in the animation industry working on popular children's shows such as Peppa Pig and Hey Duggee as an animator, designer and writer.

I began to make personal projects that focused on my love of wildlife, using recorded sound to bring different species to life, for example Firecrests on Tooting Common and Redstarts at Thursley. Last year I was lucky enough to win an award at the Society of Wildlife artists exhibition at the Mall Galleries. It turns out that my work is the first animation to be accepted and that's something I'm very proud of. I use the medium in the same way as you might use a paintbrush or pencil. Sound adds another descriptive layer that really helps take you back to the field; the moment you heard the call or the leaves rustle. 

You've just created a brand new animation all about Terns for Rye Harbour Nature Reserve. Can you tell us more about this collaboration?

Last year I began making an animated bird guide called 'What bird is that?', which is hosted on a YouTube channel to help both the young and old identify and enjoy the birds around them. I wanted to make something accessible for everybody to learn how to start birdwatching, how to tell birds apart by their shape, song, behaviour, habitat and have fun along the way.

I'm very proud that 'The Breeding Terns of Rye Harbour' is my first collaboration with a nature reserve. To see the animation playing in the Discovery Centre brings me great joy and I hope everybody will go and give it a watch before going out to spot some terns. They're a very graceful bird in flight and I love the subtle differences in their bill and feet colours. To have all three species at the nature reserve is very special indeed. It was an honour to help to highlight these birds and why creating crucial habitat for them to breed is so important.

Can you identify where your passion for wildlife and the environment came from?

I began to draw birds as a young boy, copying birds such as Red Kites and Swallows out of the bird books around the house. I actually found a few of these drawings recently, as I was helping my mum clear out the loft. I was very lucky to have parents who loved the natural world. Not only would they take me on holidays where there was a good chance of seeing Woodchat Shrikes and Bee Orchids, they also worked as a team, creating artwork for the RSPB. Mum would draw the plant life, Dad would draw the birds. I even had my very own copy of Life on Earth signed to me by David Attenborough. I was of course too shy to ask for his signature at the time (mum did it!), but luckily I was able to work with him in the future for the BBC.

Do you have a favourite spot at Rye Harbour Nature Reserve?

Rye Harbour is a fantastic place to observe and enjoy so many species. I first visited in 2021 and was captivated by the landscape and, of course, the birds. I enjoyed all the hides, but also loved being up near the beach watching diving Gannets from the shore. The chance to have a good slice of cake in the café afterwards is always nice too!

Please spill the beans on Peppa Pig!

I worked as an animator and also co-wrote an episode of Peppa Pig called 'Pedro is late!'. It was a wonderful place to work and I learnt a lot from the fabulous storytelling in that show. I worked on series two to series four of Peppa Pig and also have worked on other shows like Ben and Holly's Little Kingdom, Mr Bean and most recently, Hey Duggee. My passion for nature, and a love of storytelling, led me to make my own award-winning shorts as well as making animated films for David Attenborough, Yoga with Adriene and the British Trust for Ornithology.

Banished to a desert island, what one luxury item would you bring with you?

Although I do love birdsong, I think I would have to bring a record player. I have created animations inspired by some of my favourite tracks. I think I could make artwork on rocks, and enjoy all the wildlife around me, but it is music I would really miss.

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Thanks to the Friends of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve for commissioning this special animation about terns. 

If you'd like to see it on screen, head to the Discovery Centre. You can also watch further episodes of 'What Bird is that?' here. You can find out more about Will on his website and Instagram.