Chris Skinner's Countryside Podcast

Chris Skinner and Matthew Gudgin assess the damage after Storm Darragh. They look at the impact of microscopic spores that have attacked the heart wood of a tree.Chris takes Matthew to Foxes Grove and tells the story and impact of ash dieback at High Ash Farm. He describes what infected trees look like in comparison to healthy trees. The pair come across an unusual jelly fungus which adds bright colour to this wintery grey season. Chris and Matthew wind down the window and watch the group of corvids tucking  into their worms. One of which is purest white in colour! Whilst in the warmth of the truck they answer listener questions and comments.Click here to download the MP3 file of this episode.  Chris Skinner's Countryside Podcast was 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 head to the woods with a spade to take a look under the soil to understand how the bulbs prepare for spring.They visit the butterflies taking refuge underneath a old rickety bridge at High Ash Farm through the winter. Chris explains the importance of flowing water when it comes to survival over the winter months.Back on dry land the pair answer listener questions.Click here to download the MP3 file of this episode.  Chris Skinner's Countryside Podcast was 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 introduces Matthew Gudgin to his favourite bird at High Ash Farm.  It's a game bird with a strong connections in history and a recipe in Mrs Beeton's cookery book.The pair pause for a moment at an oak tree that fell victim to Storm Bert and observe the honey fungus growing under the bark.Chris and Matthew get caught in the latest stormy weather and repair to the farm truck to answer listener questions and photographs.Click here to download the MP3 file of this episode. Chris Skinner's Countryside Podcast was 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 begins the episode at dusk and captures the noisiness of the jackdaws, rooks and carrion crows circling the woodland before roosting.In the morning, Rat is up to his usual mayhem and keen to steal the show. Chris takes Matthew Gudgin to the overwinter wild bird seed mix experiment site that we visited a couple of weeks ago and the results are in!The pair traipse to a bird hide on the farm and enjoy a cocktail of birds visiting the feeders.They retreat to the farm truck and read updates from across the pond and answer questions on how we can support birds and bees with small plots and they identify a mystery fungus.Click here to download the MP3 file of this episode. Chris Skinner's Countryside Podcast was produced by SOUNDYARD - a non-profit company on a mission to turn up the volume on under-heard voices. Join the SOUNDYARD newsletter