Show Notes
Chris Skinner starts the episode by capturing the dawn chorus from song thrushes, wood pigeon and a bantam cockerel. Matthew Gudgin is shocked to be greeted by a stoat before they've even started! They learn about how this small predator hunts and navigates its way around High Ash Farm. Chris managed filmed the stoats and you can see this footage here. Before answering listener questions the pair delight at the blackberry bushes busy with the hum of bees and one of the symbols of Tudor Brit...
More from Chris Skinner's Countryside Podcast
Chris Skinner and Matthew Gudgin begin the episode by greeting a flock of woodpigeon in the Oat Field. They dwell on fluctuations of biodiversity in the UK in response to species being introduced to this country. The pair manage to disturb a flock of redwings before observing the still fog down by the woodland to look for female winter moths. Chris explains the short life span of these females and how they attract males before climbing up to the top of tree to the buds. In listener questio...
Chris Skinner and Matthew Gudgin assess the damage after Storm Darragh. They look at the impact of microscopic spores that have attacked the heart wood of a tree. Chris takes Matthew to Foxes Grove and tells the story and impact of ash dieback at High Ash Farm. He describes what infected trees look like in comparison to healthy trees. The pair come across an unusual jelly fungus which adds bright colour to this wintery grey season. Chris and Matthew wind down the window and watch the gro...
Chris Skinner and Matthew Gudgin head to the woods with a spade to take a look under the soil to understand how the bulbs prepare for spring. They visit the butterflies taking refuge underneath a old rickety bridge at High Ash Farm through the winter. Chris explains the importance of flowing water when it comes to survival over the winter months. Back on dry land the pair answer listener questions. Click here to download the MP3 file of this episode. Chris Skinner's Countryside Podca...
Chris Skinner introduces Matthew Gudgin to his favourite bird at High Ash Farm. It's a game bird with a strong connections in history and a recipe in Mrs Beeton's cookery book. The pair pause for a moment at an oak tree that fell victim to Storm Bert and observe the honey fungus growing under the bark. Chris and Matthew get caught in the latest stormy weather and repair to the farm truck to answer listener questions and photographs. Click here to download the MP3 file of this episode...
Chris Skinner begins the episode at dusk and captures the noisiness of the jackdaws, rooks and carrion crows circling the woodland before roosting. In the morning, Rat is up to his usual mayhem and keen to steal the show. Chris takes Matthew Gudgin to the overwinter wild bird seed mix experiment site that we visited a couple of weeks ago and the results are in! The pair traipse to a bird hide on the farm and enjoy a cocktail of birds visiting the feeders. They retreat to the farm truck and re...