Episodes
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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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Missing episodes?
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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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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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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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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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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!
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Click here to watch the videos from the farm on High Ash Farm's Facebook Page.
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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.
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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.
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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 [email protected]
Chris introduces Matthew Gudgin his favourite woodland butterfly. The pair discuss the amount of rainwater recorded in the county and Chris explains what this means for sycamore trees.
The pair drive to successional wood to look at the devastating impact of grey squirrels at High Ash Farm.
Back at the farm truck Chris and Matthew answer questions about ragwort and watercourses.
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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 High Ash Farm.
Listener questions cover an array of subjects including spiders, hares, hungry caterpillars and swifts.
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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 tasks now completed by one man on a mower.
Chris takes Matthew to the highest point at High Ash Farm to share the site where he unearthed something that's now exhibited in the Natural History Museum.
Before answering listener questions, the pair enjoy the row of rowans and the berries on display.
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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 to answer questions sent in from listeners which include seaweed recipes, kestrel feeding calls and an unsolved mystery.
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Chris Skinner and Matthew Gudgin observe the different roles of the new and devoted parents on the farm.
They're driving through High Ash Farm when Chris notices one of East Anglia's most persecuted birds enjoying a spot of sunbathing.
They revisit the site once filled with foxgloves in flower. The plants have now gone to seed and Chris explains the onward journey for them.
Matthew had the honour of cutting the ribbon and opening this year's Teasel Walk at High Ash Farm.
Back in the truck they respond to comments and questions from listeners. This week they cover daytime moths, mysterious mushrooms and how to preserve fallen apples for the birds in the winter.
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Chris Skinner and Matthew Gudgin begin the podcast watching a very splendid butterfly in the woodland clearing.
They travel through the woodland to rather confusingly look for a gathering of lazy and extremely poisonous moths that are up and about in the daytime.
The pair chance upon a group whirligig beetles circling on the water and dragonflies laying their eggs.
Chris and Matthew answer a variety questions sent in by listeners this week; asking about cockchafers on the lawn, ducklings across the pond and a beautiful recording of a mockingbird in San Diego.
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Chris Skinner captures the sound of the farm's most recognisable wake up call before introducing us to two young nearby buzzards.
Matthew Gudgin joins Chris as they watch the buzzards glide in the air and Chris explains how to distinguish the difference between various birds of prey.
Armed with a tape measure, the pair head to the woods to measure the age of one of the oldest trees growing at High Ash Farm.
Chris then takes the time to show Matthew the two types of balsam currently in flower; the uncommon Small Balsam and the unpopular Himalayan Balsam.
Lots of subjects are covered in listener questions including the lack of pollinators this year, hedgehogs care, medicinal leeches and hay baling string.
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Matthew Gudgin marvels at the superb parenting skills of Mother Duck who is raising her ten ducklings at High Ash Farm.
Chris Skinner drives Matthew to the local quarry to show off the incredible wildlife zooming around this unlikely location.
Matthew then watches on as Chris forages in the undergrowth for a Wimbledon themed treat after explaining the uses of chicory.
The pair answer listener questions which this week include some unusually named fungi, opportunistic ants, bees shortages and High Ash Farm's oldest tree!
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Chris Skinner starts this episode by capturing the song of a nearby Blackcap Warbler.
Matthew Gudgin arrives at High Ash Farm and the pair observe the corkscrew flight of Rooks at what is the riskiest time of the year for the bird.
Rat comes along for the ride in this episode and takes umbrage to dog walkers on the farm. Chris dons his wellies to show Matthew some of the stream inhabitants who only live in the freshest of waters.
In the thirty years that Matthew has been visiting High Ash Farm there is one field he is yet to see, today is the day!
Listener questions are answered back at the farm truck where they have an unexpected visitor.
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