Chris Skinner's Countryside Podcasts

High Ash Farm
  • 5.0 (3)
  • NATURE
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
Chris Skinner's Countryside Podcasts

  Nature, Wildlife and Countryside Living with Chris Skinner from High Ash Farm Chris Skinner, a Norfolk farmer, takes a unique approach to farming, prioritizing biodiversity and wildlife conservation in every practice. Tune in every Sunday morning as Chris, alongside broadcaster Matthew Gudgin, explores topics on nature, wildlife, and rural life. Join them for strolls through High Ash Farm and beyond, spotting wildlife and addressing your queries about the natural world. Email questions for Chris to answer to Chris@highashfarm.com

  1. 1 DAY AGO

    Episode 2.8 - Travelers Above, Toilers Below

    Send us a text "Travelers Above, Toilers Below" bids adieu to winter’s visitors and unearths the quiet laborers of the countryside. Join Chris Skinner and Matthew Gudgin at High Ash Farm under February’s low sun as they watch fieldfares and redwings fuel up for their North Sea journey, their cinnamon-speckled breasts aglow. Beneath the pastures, moles toil in darkness, shaping the soil with their velvet-clad strength and leaving mole hills as evidence of their unseen empire. From the warmth o...

    44 min

  2. FEB 16

    Episode 2.7 - Hidden in Plain Sight: The Silent Work of Nature’s Tiny Heroes

    Send us a text "Hidden in Plain Sight: The Silent Work of Nature’s Tiny Heroes" dives into the often overlooked yet crucial roles played by nature's smallest inhabitants. Join hosts Chris Skinner and Matthew as they explore High Ash Farm, uncovering the secrets of the ecosystem. From the heat of compost heaps teeming with brandling worms to the fascinating hares that roam the fields, this episode celebrates the foundational species that support the entire ecological pyramid. Discover the unse...

    41 min

  3. FEB 9

    Episode 2.6 - Barking Up the Right Tree - From Orchids to Old Oaks

    Send us a text Join Rat Skinner, Farmer Chris and Matthew Gudgin at High Ash Farm for the latest episode of 'Gulps of Fresh Air,' where the countryside comes alive. This week, we're treated to the lively antics of Chris's boisterous terrier, not quite the sheepdog the flock behind us would prefer, as they prepare to move off the farm after a successful winter. Dive into the world of lambing with a remarkable 182% lambing rate, explore the rich tapestry of local history, from WWII radar statio...

    44 min

  4. FEB 2

    Episode 2.5 - Moss Magic Exploring the Miniature Forest

    Send us a text Join Chris Skinner on another enlightening episode of "The Countryside Podcast" at High Ash Farm. This week, Chris takes us on an adventurous journey, starting by exploring the unique life cycle of the moss Tortula muralis, perched high on an old roof accessed by a cherry picker. Discover how this resilient plant thrives in extreme conditions and its ecological importance. Later, Chris delves into the world of lichens, showcasing the vibrant Xanthoria parietina on old Norfolk c...

    43 min

  5. JAN 26

    Episode 2.4 - The Tangled Roots of High Ash

    Send us a text In this episode, Chris Skinner takes us through the enchanting yet challenging winter landscape of High Ash Farm in Norfolk. The podcast begins with an evening exploration where Chris discusses the mysterious fall of mature ash trees, potentially due to ash dieback affecting their roots. Despite the grim start, the episode transitions to a more uplifting note as Chris introduces listeners to the playful antics of badger cubs, observed through his wildlife cameras. The narrative...

    39 min

  6. JAN 19

    Episode 2.3 - The Duck Pond Serenade

    Send us a text In this episode of The Countryside Podcast, Chris and Matthew witness the breath-taking spectacle of waterfowl arrivals at the pond, reminiscent of Heathrow Airport with birds coming from all directions. Chris observes Mallards with their distinctive bottle-green heads, Egyptian geese, and Teal, all descending from high above, circling around before making their approach. The pond, a historical feature dug in the early 1600s, serves as a central hub for these birds, their numbe...

    33 min

  7. JAN 12

    Episode 2.2 - The Hazel's Whisper and the Jackdaw's Call

    Send us a text Chris and Matthew delve into the history of Hazel at the farm and some of the common uses before Chris heads out for an evening visit to the corvid roost. Support the show Please email any questions for Chris to answer on the podcast to Chris@highashfarm.com This podcast is brought to you by High Ash Farm. To support our efforts in creating this content, please consider making a small monthly or one-off donation. Your contributions help us with production costs, and afte...

    40 min

  8. JAN 5

    Episode 2.1 - Flower of Hope

    Send us a text Kicking off 2025 with a fresh start, Chris and Matthew launch the new season of podcasts, now proudly produced by High Ash Farm itself! As the calendar turns, they celebrate the arrival of The Flower of Hope - the snowdrop, marking the first whisper of spring. This delicate bloom not only heralds new beginnings but also brings a touch of beauty to the wintry landscape. The duo then turns their attention to an intriguing inhabitant of the farm, Wormwood. This plant, known fo...

    33 min
See All (48)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

  Nature, Wildlife and Countryside Living with Chris Skinner from High Ash Farm Chris Skinner, a Norfolk farmer, takes a unique approach to farming, prioritizing biodiversity and wildlife conservation in every practice. Tune in every Sunday morning as Chris, alongside broadcaster Matthew Gudgin, explores topics on nature, wildlife, and rural life. Join them for strolls through High Ash Farm and beyond, spotting wildlife and addressing your queries about the natural world. Email questions for Chris to answer to Chris@highashfarm.com

Information

You Might Also Like

To listen to explicit episodes, sign in.

Stay up to date with this show

Sign in or sign up to follow shows, save episodes, and get the latest updates.
Select a country or region

Africa, Middle East, and India

Asia Pacific

Europe

Latin America and the Caribbean

The United States and Canada