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Join 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=true
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