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.

Click here to download the MP3 file of this episode.

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

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!

Click here to download the MP3 file of this episode.

Click here to watch the videos from the farm on High Ash Farm's Facebook Page.

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

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.

Click here to download the MP3 file of this episode.

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