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Bask in the sunlit splendour of High Ash Farm’s wildflower meadows, where Chris Skinner guides us through a vibrant tapestry of nature’s small wonders. Marvel at the common blue butterflies, their Wedgwood-hued wings dancing over bird’s foot trefoil, a legume bursting into bright yellow bloom. Amid the meadow, yellow rattle thrives, subtly parasitizing grasses to foster a haven for declining insect species. Discover the rare shepherd’s purse and shepherd’s needle, crucifers with delicate, cross-shaped white flowers, their names echoing ancient sheepherding traditions and medieval practices of stitching lambskins to nurture orphaned young. By the farm’s tranquil lake, witness tadpoles in metamorphosis, their tiny hind legs sprouting as they edge toward froghood, while the scarce water soldier’s white blooms drift serenely, carried by the breeze. From drought-stressed fields to the resilience of Norfolk’s biodiversity, this episode celebrates the intricate connections of flora and fauna in a rapidly changing season. Join us for a heartfelt journey through the countryside, plus answers to your wildlife questions!

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2432378/episodes/17202769-episode-2-21-shepherd-s-purse-soldier-s-float.mp3?download=true

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Please email any questions for Chris to answer on the podcast to
Chris@highashfarm.com

This podcast is brought to you by High Ash Farm. To support our efforts in creating this content, please consider making a small monthly or one-off donation. Your contributions help us with production costs, and after expenses, every penny goes towards conservation and maintaining free public access at High Ash Farm.
Support us here:
https://donorbox.org/podcast-12
or from the Podcast page here:
Podcast | High Ash Farm

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Join Chris Skinner in the verdant depths of Fox's Grove, where spring unveils a remarkable tale of coexistence: badgers and foxes sharing the same sprawling set, with cubs of both species thriving in harmony. Discover the delicate beauty of the early purple orchid, steeped in Shakespearean lore, and marvel at the ash trees’ surprising sex-switching as they produce a prolific crop of keys. Scots pines stun with their rapid growth spurts, while roe deer bark in the distance, adding to the woodland’s vibrant symphony. From drought-stressed landscapes to biodiversity’s resilience, this episode celebrates the intricate jigsaw of nature at High Ash Farm. Tune in for a journey through Norfolk’s countryside, plus answers to your wildlife questions!

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2432378/episodes/17167691-episode-2-20-cubs-and-cones-woodland-s-shared-spaces.mp3?download=true

Support the show

Please email any questions for Chris to answer on the podcast to
Chris@highashfarm.com

This podcast is brought to you by High Ash Farm. To support our efforts in creating this content, please consider making a small monthly or one-off donation. Your contributions help us with production costs, and after expenses, every penny goes towards conservation and maintaining free public access at High Ash Farm.
Support us here:
https://donorbox.org/podcast-12
or from the Podcast page here:
Podcast | High Ash Farm

Send us a text

Join Chris Skinner at High Ash Farm for a captivating exploration of nature’s quirks in Norfolk’s countryside. This week, Chris unveils the ghostly spectacle of a spindle tree shrouded in the webs of brown tail moth caterpillars, a phenomenon both eerie and fascinating, while warning of their irritating hairs. The journey continues with a dive into the world of oak galls—marble galls and oak apples—revealing the hidden lives of gall wasps and the historical charm of Oak Apple Day. Amidst the bluebells of Foxes Grove, a heartwarming tale unfolds as a vixen adopts four orphaned cubs, raising a bustling family of eight, captured on camera for all to see on High Ash Farm’s Facebook page. From drought-stricken hay fields to the rich biodiversity of oak trees, Chris shares the wonders and challenges of rural life in May. Tune in for a blend of history, wildlife, and nature’s marvels!

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2432378/episodes/17123452-episode-2-19-fox-cubs-feast-galls-hidden-guests.mp3?download=true

Support the show

Please email any questions for Chris to answer on the podcast to
Chris@highashfarm.com

This podcast is brought to you by High Ash Farm. To support our efforts in creating this content, please consider making a small monthly or one-off donation. Your contributions help us with production costs, and after expenses, every penny goes towards conservation and maintaining free public access at High Ash Farm.
Support us here:
https://donorbox.org/podcast-12
or from the Podcast page here:
Podcast | High Ash Farm