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...

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...

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...

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 truc...

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 t...

Chris Skinner and Matthew Gudgin accidentally disturb birds feeding in a field with overwinter wild bird seed mix. He describes the various differences between the birds that feed there, in particular their beak shapes. The pair observe the feeding logistics of a flock of starlings in a field prepped recently by the sheep. Chris and Matthew stand at the edge of the badger set under the canopy of c...

Matthew Gudgin returns to High Ash Farm welcomed by Chris Skinner who points out the latest growth on nearby yews and the birds benefiting nearby. After a short drive the pair step back in time a couple of years and see the effects of drought on trees. They then fast forward two years and witness the beginnings of future foxgloves. It's a dank day but Chris shows off the fact that flowers can...

In the absence of a busy Matthew Gudgin Chris Skinner has a special co-host for the podcast this week. Chris and his daughter, Kate Blincoe give an insight into what life was like growing up on High Ash Farm. They describe how connections to the land can come at cost to family life. The pair then treat us to an evening on the farm for a nocturnal safari. Chris explains the nighttime activity of th...

Chris Skinner treats us to a whistle stop tour of the colours of autumn at High Ash Farm. Chris sings the praises of a British native shrub that showcases the brightest pink berries with orange seeds at this time of the year. Matthew Gudgin enjoys Rat the terrible terrier's calmer disposition this week. They pair watch on as a red admiral butterfly flies around the ivy, stocking up for hibern...

Chris Skinner greets visitors from Southern Australia who have come to see High Ash Farm. He gets Matthew Gudgin busy cleaning the gutters for acorns and the pair marvel at how tiny acorn can grow into an enormous oak. Chris introduces Matthew to the some fury arrivals that once made Norfolk one of the wealthiest places in the country. Rat the terrier is in good voice in this episode as Chris desc...

This episode goes off with a BANG as Chris Skinner introduces us to an unofficial experiment he's conducting on a field full overwinter wild bird seed mix at High Ash Farm. He's highlighting a loophole that currently exists whereby shooting is still allowed on areas like this that are supposed to be dedicated to promoting wildlife.  Matthew Gudgin then joins Chris and Rat at Foxes Grove...

Autumn has definitely arrived at High Ash Farm. Chris Skinner and Matthew Gudgin begin the podcast at Foxes Grove and they get up close and personal to some of the fungi making an appearance on the woodland floor. Chris explains the many uses and existence of fungi within our diet, lifestyle and health care. The pair revisit an enormous ash tree that's being slowly devoured by different fungi...

Chris Skinner and Matthew Gudgin are distracted early on in their journey around High Ash Farm. They spot Norfolk's largest black bird, busy preening it's feathers in a nearby tree. They keep a safe distance as they admire the work of a hornet queen who has built an enormous nest all by herself! Chris describes the fascinating but difficult life cycle of Britain's largest wasp. Chri...

Chris Skinner is giddy to show Matthew Gudgin a new species that's causing quite a buzz at High Ash Farm. The pair then survey the hallmark left behind from a special visitor who wandered through the farm last night.  Chris explains how ivy is a plant for all seasons. Sometimes an undesirable plant for some but Chris describes how valuable it is for butterflies and birds all the year round. L...

Chris Skinner and Matthew Gudgin begin by watching a charm of goldfinches busy feeding on their favourite food. They head to a different part of the farm to watch the latest colony occupying a hole in a sweet chestnut tree. Chris describes the various species that trees can support throughout their lives. Chris quietly admits to Matthew a plant that has appeared in his wild bird winter seed mix th...

It's a big birthday for Chris Skinner this week and to celebrate he shares the starlings at High Ash Farm with us. Chris then continues the bird theme and shows Matthew Gudgin other birds gathering in the fields including jackdaws, carrion crows and rooks. The pair then give the answer to last weeks conundrum as well as answering questions about bats and moths. Click here to listen to MP3 fil...

This episode marks a special one year anniversary for Chris Skinner's Countryside Podcast. Chris has a gift for you in way of a tricky conundrum for you to have a go at: Today, Sunday the first of September, I am safe. Why should I be worried tomorrow, the second of September and why shouldn't I worried tomorrow, the second of September? Answers can be emailed to chris@countrysidepodcast...

Chris Skinner shows Matthew one of the oldest ponds at High Ash Farm. Chris dunks his hands in and demonstrates the pottery qualities of the clay in the pond. He describes how wild oats can grow in the cracks when it dries out. Chris is extremely excited and proud to show Matthew the holes in nearby trees that have been drilled by woodpeckers. The three different sizes of the holes created prove t...

Chris Skinner tells a story and shares the practicality of farmers. Matthew Gudgin joins Chris on the lawn and they answer a curious question all about moles. Chris describes the antisocial qualities of the underground inhabitants, how they move and how they changed the course of history. It's all go at High Ash Farm at the moment with all the mowing and it allows Chris to reflect on the impa...

Chris Skinner and Matthew Gudgin begin the podcast at a local supermarket that is protecting the wildlife nesting there. Back on the farm the pair trudge through a field overwinter wildbird seed mix when they come across an exploding thistle. Chris explains how pioneering species establish and how they can colonise. They look at various properties of nearby plants including Red Shank, the menthol...

Chris Skinner and Matthew Gudgin observe the different roles of the new and devoted parents on the farm. They're driving through High Ash Farm when Chris notices one of East Anglia's most persecuted birds enjoying a spot of sunbathing. They revisit the site once filled with foxgloves in flower. The plants have now gone to seed and Chris explains the onward journey for them. Matthew had t...

Chris Skinner and Matthew Gudgin begin the podcast watching a very splendid butterfly in the woodland clearing. They travel through the woodland to rather confusingly look for a gathering of lazy and extremely poisonous moths that are up and about in the daytime. The pair chance upon a group whirligig beetles circling on the water and dragonflies laying their eggs. Chris and Matthew answer a varie...

Chris Skinner captures the sound of the farm's most recognisable wake up call before introducing us to two young nearby buzzards. Matthew Gudgin joins Chris as they watch the buzzards glide in the air and Chris explains how to distinguish the difference between various birds of prey. Armed with a tape measure, the pair head to the woods to measure the age of one of the oldest trees growing at...

Matthew Gudgin marvels at the superb parenting skills of Mother Duck who is raising her ten ducklings at High Ash Farm. Chris Skinner drives Matthew to the local quarry to show off the incredible wildlife zooming around this unlikely location. Matthew then watches on as Chris forages in the undergrowth for a Wimbledon themed treat after explaining the uses of chicory. The pair answer listener ques...

Chris Skinner starts this episode by capturing the song of a nearby Blackcap Warbler. Matthew Gudgin arrives at High Ash Farm and the pair observe the corkscrew flight of Rooks at what is the riskiest time of the year for the bird. Rat comes along for the ride in this episode and takes umbrage to dog walkers on the farm. Chris dons his wellies to show Matthew some of the stream inhabitants who onl...