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.

Click here to download the MP3 file of this episode.

We only have a few of our limited edition tote bags available to purchase. To order yours head to SOUNDYARD.org/chris

Alternatively if you don't have access to the internet or would rather send a cheque you can, leave us a message on 01603 273899 telling us your name and telephone number.

Click here to donate to the podcast.

If you have a question that you'd like Chris to answer on the podcast, send an email to: chris@countrysidepodcast.co.uk

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Chris Skinner's Countryside Podcast is 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 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.

Click here to download the MP3 file of this episode.

We only have a few of our limited edition tote bags available to purchase. To order yours head to SOUNDYARD.org/chris

Alternatively if you don't have access to the internet or would rather send a cheque you can, leave us a message on 01603 273899 telling us your name and telephone number.

Click here to donate to the podcast.

If you have a question that you'd like Chris to answer on the podcast, send an email to: chris@countrysidepodcast.co.uk

Join the official Chris Skinner's Countryside Podcast newsletter

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

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!

To download the MP3 file of this episode click here.

We only have a few of our limited edition tote bags available to purchase. To order yours head to SOUNDYARD.org/chris

Alternatively if you don't have access to the internet or would rather send a cheque you can, leave us a message on 01603 273899 telling us your name and telephone number.

Click here to donate to the podcast.

If you have a question that you'd like Chris to answer on the podcast, send an email to: chris@countrysidepodcast.co.uk

Join the official Chris Skinner's Countryside Podcast newsletter

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