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PODCAST

Chris Skinner"s Countryside Podcast

Nature, wildlife and countryside living with Chris Skinner from High Ash Farm.Chris is a Norfolk farmer doing things differently; all of his practices are informed by his dedication to biodiversity and wildlife.Join Chris and broadcaster Matthew Gudgin every Sunday morning as they talk nature, wildlife and countryside living.Enjoy walks around High Ash Farm and further afield as the pair spot wildlife and answer your questions.New episode released every Sunday at 0700 GMTTo support and donate to the

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All Episodes

47:12

Episode 68: A Daytime Safari

Chris Skinner"s Countryside Podcast ·

2024/12/22

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 questions w...

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43:17

Episode 67: Yellow Brain

Chris Skinner"s Countryside Podcast ·

2024/12/15

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 group of ...

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43:53

Episode 66: Butterfly Bridge

Chris Skinner"s Countryside Podcast ·

2024/12/08

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. If you have a question that you'd like ...

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42:37

Episode 65: Duke and Horace

Chris Skinner"s Countryside Podcast ·

2024/12/01

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. Clic...

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54:33

Episode 64: Communal Roosting

Chris Skinner"s Countryside Podcast ·

2024/11/24

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 read ...

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42:56

Episode 63: Woodpigeon And Stock Doves

Chris Skinner"s Countryside Podcast ·

2024/11/17

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 corsican pine trees which are utilised well by the buzzards. Chris describes his failed attempt at f...

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57:02

Episode 62: A Dank Day

Chris Skinner"s Countryside Podcast ·

2024/11/10

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 still emerge at this time of year and are important for winter moths needing nectar at dusk. He also i...

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55:40

Episode 61: Like Father, Like Daughter

Chris Skinner"s Countryside Podcast ·

2024/11/03

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 the mammals who are busy darting around the field in response to their presence. We learn that Chris ...

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38:43

Episode 60: Autumn Colour

Chris Skinner"s Countryside Podcast ·

2024/10/27

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 hibernation over the winter months. Matthew asks what creates the autumn tones and thankfully Chris can ...

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42:20

Episode 59: Australians And Acorns

Chris Skinner"s Countryside Podcast ·

2024/10/20

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 describes the life cycle of newts.Messages from listeners explore topics on fungi, butterflies and phot...

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50:00

Episode 58: The Big Bang

Chris Skinner"s Countryside Podcast ·

2024/10/13

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 to continue their fungal foray from last week's episode. They look at the deadliest mushroom in existe...

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37:03

Episode 57: Fungal Foray

Chris Skinner"s Countryside Podcast ·

2024/10/06

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 in succession of one another, starting with honey fungus.They avoid the seasonal showers and take lis...

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37:13

Episode 56: A Hornet's Nest

Chris Skinner"s Countryside Podcast ·

2024/09/29

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. Chris then marks the official start of autumn by showing Matthew a yellow plant that celebrates the sun known as the...

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38:08

Episode 55: Nature's Secrets Uncovered

Chris Skinner"s Countryside Podcast ·

2024/09/22

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.Listener questions cover goldfinches, territory marking of birds, moth identification and photos fro...

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43:42

Episode 54: The Norfolk Snout

Chris Skinner"s Countryside Podcast ·

2024/09/15

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 that's grown in error at High Ash Farm.They get excited as they talk about a moth species that has be...

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34:07

Episode 53: Starlings

Chris Skinner"s Countryside Podcast ·

2024/09/08

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 file of this episode.Click here to donate to the podcast. If you have a question that you'd like Chris to a...

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40:18

Episode 52: One Year On

Chris Skinner"s Countryside Podcast ·

2024/09/01

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.co.ukChris introduces Matthew Gudgin his favourite woodland butterfly. The pair discuss the amount of rainwa...

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48:31

Episode 51: Ancient Ponds, Woodpeckers And Drupes

Chris Skinner"s Countryside Podcast ·

2024/08/25

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 that all three species of woodpecker native to this country are residing in one area of woodland at...

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46:41

Episode 50: Moles

Chris Skinner"s Countryside Podcast ·

2024/08/18

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 impact of technology in farming. Growing up, he remembers the thirty-two men employed full time to do the ta...

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41:14

Episode 49: Swallows and House Martins

Chris Skinner"s Countryside Podcast ·

2024/08/11

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 scent of Field Mint, and answer how the Greeks utilised Woundwort.Back in the truck they endeavour ...

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