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 years and the fluctuation in popularity as a source of food and fur. They look at the ground ivy and elm that are both in flower in early spring. 

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Back at the farm truck, the pair answer listener questions. Chris reveals a happy ending for the Lincolnshire house martins and also shines a light on some very unusual behaviour performed by a male dunnock at this time of year.

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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 mouse or wood mouse, which is the most common rodent in the UK. Chris explains the mouse's habits, favourite food, and predators.

He describes the importance of blackthorn hedging and the complicated ecosystem it supports. The pair are then serenaded by a cacophony of bird song at the farmyard and Chris gets excited by the animated presence of red-wing birds and shares their travelling trends.

Chris and Matthew conclude the episode answering listener questions on lapwings, yew trees and blue tit behaviour.

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Chris Skinner's Countryside Podcast was 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 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 the area by observing the tracks and footprints left in the soil. Chris shares some historical and botanical knowledge about the willow tree and its uses, including its role in the creation of cricket bats. They also answer listener questions about the River Tas, the effectiveness of bat crossings on major roads, and their favourite places to spot adders in the UK.

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Chris Skinner's Countryside Podcast was 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 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 historical significance and association with religious sites.

They observe roe deer in the woodland and discuss its behaviour and characteristics. They also explore the flowering of the box and dog's mercury plant, both of which are indicators of ancient woodland.

The pair answer listeners questions on the early appearance of bees and the behaviour of geese during the mating season.

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Chris Skinner's Countryside Podcast was produced by SOUNDYARD - a non-profit company on a mission to turn up the volume on under-heard voices.
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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 his own role in this process and shows deep remorse for removing hedgerows in his younger years.

Chris highlights the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG), an organisation that aims to balance the needs of farmers and conservationists. They answer questions from listeners about building ponds and bird identification.

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Chris Skinner's Countryside Podcast was produced by SOUNDYARD - a non-profit company on a mission to turn up the volume on under-heard voices.
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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 the pollen from hazel catkins moves around and Matthew points out the various types of fungi nearby. They cosy up out of the rain with a cup of tea in hand and answer listeners questions about mystery bird calls, butterflies and yellowhammers. 

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Chris Skinner's Countryside Podcast was 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 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 is lurking on the edge of the dark wood.

Chris and Matthew head to the office to answer listener questions. They discuss  pied wagtails and birdhouse nature cameras. They also mention seeing geese and other waterfowl swimming in a pond on the farm.

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Chris Skinner's Countryside Podcast was produced by SOUNDYARD - a non-profit company on a mission to turn up the volume on under-heard voices.
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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 discuss the feeding habits of various bird species, including rooks, jackdaws, nuthatches and a surprise raven.

They witness first hand the impact of ash dieback, a fungal disease that affects ash trees, and talk about Chris' experience of carbon offsetting in Notre Dame Wood.

Chris is delighted by the presence of the migratory thrush species called redwings who are busy feeding in the fields watched closely by a pair of buzzards.

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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 out the binoculars and observe lapwings in the fields before answering listener questions. They consider how farmers plan for uncertain weather and explain why sparrows love a dust bath.

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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 a bird hide in the nearby woodland and observe various bird species, including blue tits, great tits, nut hatches, wrens, and coal tits. They also answer questions from listeners and share their experiences with wildlife on the farm.

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