About this episode

Chris Skinner and Matthew Gudgin explore the vibrant wildlife at High Ash Farm, focusing on dragonflies and a spectacular honeybee swarm.

Send us Fan Mail On a glorious hot mid-June morning at High Ash Farm, Chris Skinner and Matthew Gudgin begin at the maturing lake, alive with emperor dragonflies laying eggs, banded damselflies, and thousands of tiny fish fry (young roach and rudd) shimmering just beneath the surface. Swallows and house martins swoop low for drinks while a little grebe dives nearby. The pair then witness one of nature’s greatest spectacles — a huge honeybee swarm forming a football-sized ball on a pine branch...

People in this episode

Host: Chris Skinner

Guest: Matthew Gudgin

Topics covered

• dragonflies
• bees
• nature observation
• wildlife
• farming
• environment

Keywords

• dragonflies
• bees
• nature
• wildlife
• High Ash Farm
• honeybee swarm
• environment

Mentioned in this episode

Places: High Ash Farm

More episodes of Chris Skinner's Countryside Podcasts

• Episode 2.81 - Flamingo Pond and Burnet Banquets · July 18, 2026 · 48 min
• Episode 2.80 - Butterfly Banquets and Nettle Nurseries · July 11, 2026 · 47 min
• Episode 2.79 - Hayfield Kites and House Martin Mud · July 4, 2026 · 38 min
• Episode 2.78 - Foxglove Spires and Peregrine Kills · June 27, 2026 · 39 min
• Episode 2.76 - Pyramidal Splendour and Honey Fungus Worries · June 13, 2026 · 47 min

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