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

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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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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

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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 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.

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

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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 starts the episode by capturing the dawn chorus from song thrushes, wood pigeon and a bantam cockerel.

Matthew Gudgin is shocked to be greeted by a stoat before they've even started! They learn about how this small predator hunts and navigates its way around High Ash Farm. Chris managed filmed the stoats and you can see this footage here.

Before answering listener questions the pair delight at the blackberry bushes busy with the hum of bees and one of the symbols of Tudor Britain, the dog rose. Chris explains how important rose rips were after the war as a source of vitamin C.

They answer a plethora of questions including wood pigeon coos, a flint find and the lack of poppies this year.

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 glimpses the morning routine of the swallows first thing. They're considering whether they can fit in a final brood.

Matthew Gudin and Rat the dog keep up with Chris as he shares with us the super powers of clover.

Chris also talks about the predators at High Ash Farm, a topic that often divides the farming community. He describes his footage of the young fox cubs playing and shares with us a very moving story showing how it's never too late to change opinion.

Click here to see the fox cub footage on the High Ash Farm Facebook Page

Emails from listeners this week showcase the rare and smelly lizard orchid, how swifts communicate, curious close ups and fan mail for Rat.

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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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 the plants along this changing gradient of soil pH. Each flower with it's own fascinating history and derivation.

A rain shower sends Chris, Matt and Rat into the farm truck in time to answer listener questions about hornets, foxgloves and a mystery sound.

Click here to download an 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.
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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 enjoy reading emails from listeners tuned in as far as Michigan, USA! They're also intrigued and slightly jealous of the photos sent in too.

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