Chris Skinner's Countryside Podcast podcast

06.16.2024

Episode 41: The Bog

This morning's morning chorus comes from the geese visiting the pond at High Ash Farm. Chris Skinner takes Matthew Gudgin to the High Ash Farm Bog. He tells the story of something once swallowed up by this bottomless bog! This wonderful...

06.09.2024

Episode 40: Orchid Squad

Chris Skinner listens in as the corvid take to their nests for their final chatter of the day, an evening chorus . The following day, Matthew Gudgin joins Chris and they go in search of the Common Spotted Orchid and...

06.02.2024

Episode 39: Gandering Goslings

The dawn chorus provided by a blackbird whilst Chris Skinner describes how much he enjoys doing the rounds first thing at High Ash Farm. The goslings swim over to wish Chris a good morning! He's joined by his broadcasting companion Matthew...

05.26.2024

Episode 38: Devil's Bitch

Chris Skinner has been busy counting the swallows on the farm. He catches their early morning chatter as the thirty-seven birds prepare for the day ahead. Chris takes Matthew Gudgin and terrible terrier Rat, to a field full of creeping...

05.19.2024

Episode 37: Badgers And Bees

Chris Skinner gives Matthew Gudgin an impromptu tour around his house and garden showing the many ways he welcomes wildlife. The pair then venture out onto High Ash Farm to look at the badger set. Chris has recorded some incredible...

05.12.2024

Episode 36: Wild Garlic, Early Purple Orchid And Tree Creepers

The wren conducts the dawn chorus for this episode of Chris Skinner’s Countryside Podcast. Chris Skinner and Matthew Gudgin stomp through the woodland to chomp on the edible wild garlic. The dwindling bluebells are going over and their shadow brings...

05.05.2024

Episode 35: A May Morning

Chris Skinner is up at the crack of dawn on the 1st of May to capture the sounds of the morning at High Ash Farm. Part of daily duties involve checking in on the swallows. Matthew Gudgin joins later on...

04.28.2024

Episode 34: Swifts, Horse Chestnuts and Hawthorne

Chris Skinner shares a moments reflection whilst waiting to see the first swift arrive at Aldeburgh beach. He pinpoints the exact moment when his relationship with wildlife changed forever. Matthew Gudgin arrives at High Ash Farm and the pair take...

04.21.2024

Episode 33: Bluebells And Their Living Heritage

Chris Skinner starts the day with his elderly geese before checking in on the swallows busy spring cleaning their nests. Matthew Gudgin joins Chris and Rat, his terrible terrier to see the bluebells at High Ash Farm. He explains how...

04.14.2024

Episode 32: The Swallows Return

Chris Skinner and terrible terrier, Rat take refuge in the farm truck from Storm Kathleen and share the benefits of wind for farmers and for pollination. Chris explains the life of the ash trees and why they thrive in certain...

04.07.2024

Episode 31: Expectant Nests

Chris Skinner shares his early morning by showcasing the dawn chorus featuring solos from a sparrow, collared dove and song thrush. After a very wet winter and now an even wetter spring, Chris reflects on what high rainfall means for...

03.31.2024

Episode 30: Norfolk's Mangrove

Chris Skinner captures the eerie sound of a roe buck barking in the woodland and High Ash Farm. He talks us though the risky behaviour of a particularly brave fox at the entrance of a badger set that he caught...

03.24.2024

Episode 29: Counting Hares

Chris Skinner treats us to a special chorus as he captures the dawn of the vernal equinox. Matthew Gudgin then joins Chris at High Ash Farm to admire the spring blooms and varieties of nettles before embarking on a mathematical...

03.17.2024

Episode 28: Rat Steals The Show

Chris Skinner and Matthew Gudgin are joined by Rat the dog who is especially keen to explore the holes of an active warren at High Ash Farm. Rat is busy excavating while Chris explains our relationship with rabbits down the...

03.10.2024

Episode 27: The Wood Mouse, Budding Blackthorn And A Redwing Display

This week Chris Skinner and Matthew Gudgin see and hear a wide range of wildlife at High Ash Farm including kestrels, Chinese water deer, and skylarks. They explore a field filled with hundreds of small mammals, particularly the long-tailed field...

03.03.2024

Episode 26: Spring Has Sprung

Chris Skinner and Matthew Gudgin delight at the arrival of spring at High Ash Farm. They observe the nesting rooks, the blooming daffodils and violets, and the budding pussy willow. They explore the presence of harvest mice and deer in...

02.25.2024

Episode 25: Chris Skinner Loves Yew

Chris Skinner and Matthew Gudgin lament the unusually wet winter and its impact on the British countryside. Chris shares with us his favourite type of tree, the Yew Tree, which flowers in the winter months. He tells us about its...

02.18.2024

Episode 24: Hedgerows And FWAG

In this episode Chris Skinner and Matthew Gudgin explore the history and importance of hedgerows in the UK. Chris describes how the landscape has changed over time, with hedgerows being removed and then replanted to recreate wildlife corridors. He ponders...

02.11.2024

Episode 23: Colours Of Winter

In this episode Chris Skinner and Matthew Gudgin observe the successional woodland and its natural growth at High Ash Farm. They delight at the array of winter flowers on the woodland floor including snowdrops, violets and pansies. Chris shows how...

02.04.2024

Episode 22: Nighttime Safari

Chris Skinner and Matthew Gudgin go on a nocturnal safari drive around High Ash Farm. They talk about the different wildlife that comes out at night, such as deer, birds, and rabbits. They encounter a barn owl and see what...

01.28.2024

Episode 21: Ash Dieback And The Cost Of Carbon Offsetting

In this episode Chris Skinner and Matthew Gudgin take breakfast for the birds on High Ash Farm. They observe the abundance of bird life during the winter months, particularly due to the lack of foliage on deciduous trees. They also...

01.21.2024

Episode 20: The Importance Of Chalk

In this episode Chris Skinner takes Matthew Gudgin to visit a quarry near to High Ash Farm. They talk about the importance of chalk in farming and its various uses throughout history. Chris shows Matthew an 'out-of-this-world' find! They bring...

01.14.2024

Episode 19: A Guide To Sparrows

In the episode Chris Skinner and Matthew Gudgin observe the sparrows occupying nest boxes at High Ash Farm. They explore the relationship between sparrows and humans and offer advice on how to best care for this red list species. They visit...

01.07.2024

Episode 18: How Much Is That Doggy In The Window?

In this episode Rat, the 'terrible terrier', gets Chris Skinner up in the early hours of New Year's Day for an encounter with a fox. Chris Skinner and Matthew Gudgin talk about the history of elms at High Ash Farm...

12.31.2023

Episode 17: Birds Of A Feather Flock Together

In this podcast episode, Chris Skinner and Matthew Gudgin discuss the wildlife and scenery they encounter at High Ash Farm. They observe the panoramic view of South Norfolk and Norwich, as well as the teasel seed and overwinter wild bird...

12.24.2023

Episode 16: Underneath The Mistletoe

Chris Skinner takes us on a walk through an avenue of oak trees near High Ash Farm, and takes a look at the winter moths that inhabit the trees. Chris and Matthew take a trip to see some mistletoe, and...

12.17.2023

Episode 15: A Season Full Of Promise

Chris Skinner and Matthew Gudgin explore the wintry woodland at High Ash Farm. They uncover the green shoots of snowdrops emerging from the leaf litter and find out how their bulbs store energy from the sun to then bloom in...

12.10.2023

Episode 14: Early Bird Catches The Worm

In this episode Chris Skinner explains the modern practice of minimum tillage or min-till, which involves drilling crops into the previous crop's stubble instead of ploughing the fields. This method saves farmers time and diesel and helps maintain the food...

12.03.2023

Episode 13: Winter Arrives, But Where Has Rat Gone?

Chris Skinner and Matthew Gudgin spot buzzards and green woodpeckers overhead, and discuss the arrival of winter, as they explore plant species in the woodland.. They climb a hill that has perplexed scientists, geologists and ecologists alike, and Chris recounts...

11.26.2023

Episode 12: Sloes In The Lettuce Wood

Chris Skinner takes a trip down memory lane and recounts a tale from his childhood that strongly impacts how he farms today. Matthew Gudgin eyes up the sloes for his Christmas gin in The Lettuce Wood, and the pair look...

11.19.2023

Episode 11: A Trip To Winterton-On-Sea

Chris Skinner and Matthew Gudgin take a trip to wintery Winterton-on-sea in Norfolk. They look at sand formation, enjoy some seal spotting and marvel at how any plants survive there! They muse over your questions in the warmth of the...

11.12.2023

Episode 10: Farm Like You'll Live Forever

Chris Skinner and Matthew Gudgin talk about the historical importance of yew, and its benefits for wildlife. Chris looks ahead at the fields of teasels yet to come, and Rat sorts out the pigeons. Click here to save this episode...

11.05.2023

Episode 9: A Woodland Wander

In this weeks episode Chris Skinner and Matthew Gudgin soak up the sounds and smells of woodland habitats. They discuss how historic farming practices have gone on to shape woodland and wildlife that resides there. Chris also captures the calm...

10.29.2023

Episode 8: A Trip To Outney Common

Chris Skinner and Matthew Gudgin spend time straddling the Norfolk Suffolk border in this week's episode. They ponder some listener questions sent in and don their wellies to explore Outney Common and the wildflowers that reside there. Click here to save...

10.22.2023