Chris Skinner's Countryside Podcast SOUNDYARD

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 habitat provides the perfect conditions for one Chris's favourite flowers, the ragged robin.The pair then compare these wetland plants to the more drought tolerant flowers on the farm. Rat is in full voice this week as Chris tries to showcase the diversity of t...

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 the striking Pyramidal Orchid.Chris explains how the geology and soil types at High Ash Farm dictate what grows where when it comes to wildflowers.Chris and Matthew stand amazed at the edge of a pond as red swarms of cyclops swirl in the water. Back at the farm truck, the pair enj...

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 Gugdin and they marvel at the mystery of the bee orchid and discuss other orchids on the farm and their soil preference. Matthew, Chris and his terrible terrier visit another field full of wild flowers. Chris describes how quickly the...

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 buttercups. They return to the woodland where the bluebells were. They're long gone now, but standing in their wake are the towering foxgloves - Digitalis purpurea. Chris, Matthew and Rat then come across some enormous animal hoof prints of red deer a...

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 footage of the teenage badgers getting up to mischief in the dead of night. Click here to see the video of the badgers at night.Matthew feels nervous answering listener questions so close to a swarm of bees so they take refuge in the farm truck to answer those....

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 the early purple orchid to the fore. Chris explains their many names and mentions throughout history and literature.Chris and Matthew sit down to answer your questions whilst waiting and watching for treecreepers to appear. No larger than a cotton r...