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 in the sunshine and the pair begin their journey around the farm by looking at crab apple trees. 

Chris and Matthew head to a bird hide and Chris explains the unusual behaviour of the male rooks he’s been noticing. They’ve worked out a new way to get essential water to the females rooks in the nest.

They both come away with plenty of nettles stings whilst looking at the delicate plants on the woodland floor, but it was worth it!

Listener questions cover ladybirds, water levels and honey bees.

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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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