Nature, wildlife and countryside living with Chris Skinner from High Ash Farm. Join Norfolk farmer Chris Skinner and broadcaster Matthew Gudgin every Sunday morning as they talk nature, wildlife and countryside living. Enjoy walks and talks around High Ash Farm with Chris, and conversations between Chris and Matthew in the studio, answering your questions. New episode released every Sunday at 0700 GMT To support and donate to the podcast: donorbox.org/countrysidepodcast For updates, join the ...
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Episode 51: Ancient Ponds, Woodpeckers And Drupes
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Chris Skinner shows Matthew one of the oldest ponds at High Ash Farm. Chris dunks his hands in and demonstrates the pottery qualities of the clay in the pond. He describes how wild oats can grow in the cracks when it dries out. Chris is extremely excited and proud to show Matthew the holes in nearby trees that have been drilled by woodpeckers. The …
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Chris Skinner tells a story and shares the practicality of farmers. Matthew Gudgin joins Chris on the lawn and they answer a curious question all about moles. Chris describes the antisocial qualities of the underground inhabitants, how they move and how they changed the course of history. It's all go at High Ash Farm at the moment with all the mowi…
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Episode 49: Swallows and House Martins
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Chris Skinner and Matthew Gudgin begin the podcast at a local supermarket that is protecting the wildlife nesting there. Back on the farm the pair trudge through a field overwinter wildbird seed mix when they come across an exploding thistle. Chris explains how pioneering species establish and how they can colonise. They look at various properties …
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Chris Skinner and Matthew Gudgin observe the different roles of the new and devoted parents on the farm. They're driving through High Ash Farm when Chris notices one of East Anglia's most persecuted birds enjoying a spot of sunbathing. They revisit the site once filled with foxgloves in flower. The plants have now gone to seed and Chris explains th…
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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 l…
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Episode 46: Underneath The Spreading Chestnut Tree
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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 …
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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 …
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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 s…
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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 h…
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Episode 42: Foxes: Predator Or Vermin?
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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…
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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 compar…
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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 t…
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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 p…
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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 wak…
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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…
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Episode 36: Wild Garlic, Early Purple Orchid And Tree Creepers
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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…
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Chris Skinner is up at the crack of dawn on the 1st of May to capture the sounds of the morning at High Ash Farm. Part of daily duties involve checking in on the swallows. Matthew Gudgin joins later on in the sunshine and the pair begin their journey around the farm by looking at crab apple trees. Chris and Matthew head to a bird hide and Chris exp…
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Episode 34: Swifts, Horse Chestnuts and Hawthorne
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Chris Skinner shares a moments reflection whilst waiting to see the first swift arrive at Aldeburgh beach. He pinpoints the exact moment when his relationship with wildlife changed forever. Matthew Gudgin arrives at High Ash Farm and the pair take a look at the hidden wonders of the horse chestnut tree. They also study the hawthorne in flower befor…
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Episode 33: Bluebells And Their Living Heritage
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Chris Skinner starts the day with his elderly geese before checking in on the swallows busy spring cleaning their nests. Matthew Gudgin joins Chris and Rat, his terrible terrier to see the bluebells at High Ash Farm. He explains how these bluebells return year on year and bring a lot of joy to a lots of visitors. Chris takes Matthew to another wood…
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Chris Skinner and terrible terrier, Rat take refuge in the farm truck from Storm Kathleen and share the benefits of wind for farmers and for pollination. Chris explains the life of the ash trees and why they thrive in certain areas. Matthew Gudgin joins Chris at the yard and they delight at the arrival of swallows at the farm. The pair marvel at th…
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Chris Skinner shares his early morning by showcasing the dawn chorus featuring solos from a sparrow, collared dove and song thrush. After a very wet winter and now an even wetter spring, Chris reflects on what high rainfall means for the farm in the next few months. Chris and Matthew Gudgin observe a family of inquisitive Little Owls at the farm. W…
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Chris Skinner captures the eerie sound of a roe buck barking in the woodland and High Ash Farm. He talks us though the risky behaviour of a particularly brave fox at the entrance of a badger set that he caught on his night vision camera. Click here to see the video on High Ash Farm Facebook Page Chris Skinner and Matthew Gudgin take a punt and enjo…
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Chris Skinner treats us to a special chorus as he captures the dawn of the vernal equinox. Matthew Gudgin then joins Chris at High Ash Farm to admire the spring blooms and varieties of nettles before embarking on a mathematical counting and concentration challenge. Using the truck and very long piece of string, the pair try and spot as many hares a…
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Chris Skinner and Matthew Gudgin are joined by Rat the dog who is especially keen to explore the holes of an active warren at High Ash Farm. Rat is busy excavating while Chris explains our relationship with rabbits down the years and the fluctuation in popularity as a source of food and fur. They look at the ground ivy and elm that are both in flow…
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Episode 27: The Wood Mouse, Budding Blackthorn And A Redwing Display
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This week Chris Skinner and Matthew Gudgin see and hear a wide range of wildlife at High Ash Farm including kestrels, Chinese water deer, and skylarks. They explore a field filled with hundreds of small mammals, particularly the long-tailed field mouse or wood mouse, which is the most common rodent in the UK. Chris explains the mouse's habits, favo…
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Chris Skinner and Matthew Gudgin delight at the arrival of spring at High Ash Farm. They observe the nesting rooks, the blooming daffodils and violets, and the budding pussy willow. They explore the presence of harvest mice and deer in the area by observing the tracks and footprints left in the soil. Chris shares some historical and botanical knowl…
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Chris Skinner and Matthew Gudgin lament the unusually wet winter and its impact on the British countryside. Chris shares with us his favourite type of tree, the Yew Tree, which flowers in the winter months. He tells us about its historical significance and association with religious sites. They observe roe deer in the woodland and discuss its behav…
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In this episode Chris Skinner and Matthew Gudgin explore the history and importance of hedgerows in the UK. Chris describes how the landscape has changed over time, with hedgerows being removed and then replanted to recreate wildlife corridors. He ponders his own role in this process and shows deep remorse for removing hedgerows in his younger year…
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In this episode Chris Skinner and Matthew Gudgin observe the successional woodland and its natural growth at High Ash Farm. They delight at the array of winter flowers on the woodland floor including snowdrops, violets and pansies. Chris shows how the pollen from hazel catkins moves around and Matthew points out the various types of fungi nearby. T…
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Chris Skinner and Matthew Gudgin go on a nocturnal safari drive around High Ash Farm. They talk about the different wildlife that comes out at night, such as deer, birds, and rabbits. They encounter a barn owl and see what is lurking on the edge of the dark wood. Chris and Matthew head to the office to answer listener questions. They discuss pied w…
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Episode 21: Ash Dieback And The Cost Of Carbon Offsetting
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In this episode Chris Skinner and Matthew Gudgin take breakfast for the birds on High Ash Farm. They observe the abundance of bird life during the winter months, particularly due to the lack of foliage on deciduous trees. They also discuss the feeding habits of various bird species, including rooks, jackdaws, nuthatches and a surprise raven. They w…
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In this episode Chris Skinner takes Matthew Gudgin to visit a quarry near to High Ash Farm. They talk about the importance of chalk in farming and its various uses throughout history. Chris shows Matthew an 'out-of-this-world' find! They bring out the binoculars and observe lapwings in the fields before answering listener questions. They consider h…
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In the episode Chris Skinner and Matthew Gudgin observe the sparrows occupying nest boxes at High Ash Farm. They explore the relationship between sparrows and humans and offer advice on how to best care for this red list species. They visit a bird hide in the nearby woodland and observe various bird species, including blue tits, great tits, nut hat…
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Episode 18: How Much Is That Doggy In The Window?
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In this episode Rat, the 'terrible terrier', gets Chris Skinner up in the early hours of New Year's Day for an encounter with a fox. Chris Skinner and Matthew Gudgin talk about the history of elms at High Ash Farm and their decline due to Dutch elm disease. They also visit a new elm tree that Chris received as a birthday present. Chris answers a ra…
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Episode 17: Birds Of A Feather Flock Together
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In this podcast episode, Chris Skinner and Matthew Gudgin discuss the wildlife and scenery they encounter at High Ash Farm. They observe the panoramic view of South Norfolk and Norwich, as well as the teasel seed and overwinter wild bird seed mix in the fields. They spot Chinese water deer, skylarks, yellowhammers, and woodcocks. Chris and Matthew …
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Chris Skinner takes us on a walk through an avenue of oak trees near High Ash Farm, and takes a look at the winter moths that inhabit the trees. Chris and Matthew take a trip to see some mistletoe, and they answer listener questions from around the world. Click here to download the MP3 file of this episode. Click here to donate to the podcast. If y…
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Chris Skinner and Matthew Gudgin explore the wintry woodland at High Ash Farm. They uncover the green shoots of snowdrops emerging from the leaf litter and find out how their bulbs store energy from the sun to then bloom in winter. Chris introduces Matthew to the habits of grazing sheep on the farm and they admire the wildflower field whilst contem…
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Episode 14: Early Bird Catches The Worm
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In this episode Chris Skinner explains the modern practice of minimum tillage or min-till, which involves drilling crops into the previous crop's stubble instead of ploughing the fields. This method saves farmers time and diesel and helps maintain the food source for gulls, which are land birds that spend most of their time inland. Chris Skinner an…
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Episode 13: Winter Arrives, But Where Has Rat Gone?
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Chris Skinner and Matthew Gudgin spot buzzards and green woodpeckers overhead, and discuss the arrival of winter, as they explore plant species in the woodland.. They climb a hill that has perplexed scientists, geologists and ecologists alike, and Chris recounts a narrow escape for his terrible terrier, Rat. Chris also answers listener questions, i…
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Chris Skinner takes a trip down memory lane and recounts a tale from his childhood that strongly impacts how he farms today. Matthew Gudgin eyes up the sloes for his Christmas gin in The Lettuce Wood, and the pair look at the rich mosaic of trees - sparing a thought for the victims of ash die back. In this episode Chris and Matthew delight in not j…
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Episode 11: A Trip To Winterton-On-Sea
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Chris Skinner and Matthew Gudgin take a trip to wintery Winterton-on-sea in Norfolk. They look at sand formation, enjoy some seal spotting and marvel at how any plants survive there! They muse over your questions in the warmth of the van. Click here to save this episode as an MP3 file. Click here to donate to the podcast. If you have a question tha…
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Episode 10: Farm Like You'll Live Forever
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Chris Skinner and Matthew Gudgin talk about the historical importance of yew, and its benefits for wildlife. Chris looks ahead at the fields of teasels yet to come, and Rat sorts out the pigeons. Click here to save this episode as an MP3 file. Click here to donate to the podcast. If you have a question that you'd like Chris to answer on the podcast…
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In this weeks episode Chris Skinner and Matthew Gudgin soak up the sounds and smells of woodland habitats. They discuss how historic farming practices have gone on to shape woodland and wildlife that resides there. Chris also captures the calm before the storm at High Ash Farm. Click here to save this episode as an MP3 file. Click here to donate to…
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Chris Skinner and Matthew Gudgin spend time straddling the Norfolk Suffolk border in this week's episode. They ponder some listener questions sent in and don their wellies to explore Outney Common and the wildflowers that reside there. Click here to save this episode as an MP3 file. Click here to donate to the podcast. If you have a question that y…
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Chris Skinner and Matthew Gudgin brave Storm Babet and take a trip out to browse the modern machinery used in agriculture today. Chris explains why he'll never tidy his pan tile roof - the reason involves a special relationship between algae and fungus. The pair also talk about the importance of liverwort. Click here to save this episode as an MP3 …
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Episode 6: Swallows, Ploughs and Leverets
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This week Chris Skinner and Matthew Gudgin wave goodbye to the last of the swallows at High Ash Farm. They celebrate Robert Ransome's award winning plough design and Chris goes looking for leverets. Click here to save this episode as an MP3 file. Click here to donate to the podcast. If you have a question that you'd like Chris to answer on the podc…
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Chris and Matthew look at the power and danger of ergot in farming. Chris enjoys a trip to the seaside this week for a bit of duck spotting. The duck theme continues as Chris invites us along to his evening ritual of feeding the ducks at dusk. Click here to save this episode as an MP3 file. Click here to donate to the podcast. If you have a questio…
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We're back at High Ash Farm, with Chris Skinner and Matthew Gudgin. They dwell on a landscape carved and created by oxen, and reflect on the future of farming. With special appearances from a goshawk, nuthatch and young buzzard and the promise of apple and blackberry pie. Click here to save this episode as an MP3 file. Click here to donate to the p…
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Enjoy a mid-week moment with Chris and his terrible terrier Rat, as they explore the woodland at High Ash Farm in search of one of our most unusual native butterflies. Click here to watch the video that accompanies 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…
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Episode 3: Anglo Saxons, Parasitic plants, And Hornbeam Trees
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Chris Skinner and Matthew Gudgin explore High Ash Farm as Autumn sets in. They investigate a historical artefact with the help of plasticine, talk parasitic plants and admire the hornbeam trees. Click here to save this episode as an MP3 file Click here to donate to the podcast. If you have a question that you'd like Chris to answer on the podcast, …
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