Chris Skinner's Countryside Podcast

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 filming badgers feeding. Instead he caught them using the toilet.

Back in the farm truck they answer questions from listeners. From how he manages the rats on the farm to a nighttime safari in Costa Rica.

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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 introduces us to a woodland plant with a special trick up its sleeve!

Questions from listeners include photographs of a magpie hitching a ride on deer, happy bats and sugarbeet.

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If you have a question that you'd like Chris to answer on the podcast, send an email to: [email protected]

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Chris Skinner's Countryside Podcast is produced by SOUNDYARD - a non-profit company on a mission to turn up the volume on under-heard voices.
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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 isn't the only member of the family who has a way with words as Kate shares with us a passage newly published in The Guardian's Country Diary.

There are comments in from Singapore and questions about sunflowers as well as some remarkable photos from listeners who have written in.

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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 explain how sunlight hours cause the leaves to change colour.

Chris also explains why he prefers jays gathering acorns instead of squirrels. The intrepid trio head deeper into the trees to look closely at the toadstools peppering the woodland floor.

They answer listener questions on ladybirds hibernating together, puzzle over a mystery sound and reflect on the joy they get from putting the podcast together each week.

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If you have a question that you'd like Chris to answer on the podcast, send an email to: [email protected]

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Chris Skinner's Countryside Podcast is produced by SOUNDYARD - a non-profit company on a mission to turn up the volume on under-heard voices.
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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 photos of curious cats!

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If you have a question that you'd like Chris to answer on the podcast, send an email to: [email protected]

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Chris Skinner's Countryside Podcast is produced by SOUNDYARD - a non-profit company on a mission to turn up the volume on under-heard voices.
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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 existence before answering questions in the farm truck.

Stay tuned until the very end of the podcast to join the ducks at dinner time.

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If you have a question that you'd like Chris to answer on the podcast, send an email to: [email protected]

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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 listener questions in the farm truck. This week  they covering questions on cormorant poo, foaming ash trees and chaffinch feet.

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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 Autumn Hawkbit. 

Back in the truck the pair answer the sack load of letters and emails sent in. They include the identification of a strange growth on a wild rose, bird boxes, bees and Jimi Hendrix.

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If you have a question that you'd like Chris to answer on the podcast, send an email to: [email protected]

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Chris Skinner's Countryside Podcast is produced by SOUNDYARD - a non-profit company on a mission to turn up the volume on under-heard voices.
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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 from afar.

Rat the terrible terrier is up to his usual mischief throughout the episode!

Click here to download the MP3 file of this episode.

Click here to watch the videos from the farm on High Ash Farm's Facebook Page.

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If you have a question that you'd like Chris to answer on the podcast, send an email to: [email protected]

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Chris Skinner's Countryside Podcast is produced by SOUNDYARD - a non-profit company on a mission to turn up the volume on under-heard voices.
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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 been rediscovered after a 50 year absence!

Out of the wind and in the warmth of the farm truck, the pair answer listener questions; this week featuring a photo of a wheatear, a video of congregating swallows, migrators and pollinators.

Click here to download the MP3 file of this episode.

Click here to donate to the podcast.

If you have a question that you'd like Chris to answer on the podcast, send an email to: [email protected]

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Chris Skinner's Countryside Podcast is produced by SOUNDYARD - a non-profit company on a mission to turn up the volume on under-heard voices.
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