Episode 2.39 - Foxtail Surprises and Kestrel Chases

Send us Fan MailJoin Chris Skinner and Matthew Gudgin on a changeable September morning at High Ash Farm, where Rat eagerly explores hedgerows amid fleeting showers and sunshine. Discover the unexpected dominance of yellow foxtail in the overwinter wild bird seed mix, its delayed dormancy creating a seed bonanza for linnets, yellowhammers, and goldfinches, while swallows skim the crops on their southward journey. Witness dramatic aerial pursuits as kestrels hover and hunt along field margins, only to be chased by territorial buzzards. Chris reflects candidly on farming missteps, from a carbon-offset woodland acre revealing the staggering 105-year timeline to neutralize the carbon share of 12 passengers flying to China, to ambitious bird hides that proved ahead of their time. Capture the rhythmic sounds of a late-season haylage harvest, with balers wrapping green forage to combat shortages from a dry summer. Delight in a listener's discovery of wild hops twining through hedgerows, evoking brewing history and tropisms, alongside global greetings from Australia. A thoughtful blend of seasonal surprises, wildlife drama, and honest rural insights, perfect for embracing autumn's unpredictable rhythm.https://www.buzzsprout.com/2432378/episodes/17897439-episode-2-39-foxtail-surprises-and-kestrel-chases.mp3?download=trueSupport the showPlease email any questions for Chris to answer on the podcast [email protected] 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-12or from the Podcast page here:Podcast | High Ash Farm