Chris Skinner's Countryside Podcasts

Episode 2.32 - Sloes and Stings A Wild Farewell

Aug 9, 2025
In a gusty exploration of nature, August reveals its charm at High Ash Farm. Discover the vibrant beauty of rowan trees and the bounty of sloes, perfect for a cherished family gin recipe. Fascinating tales unfold about wasps as vital pollinators and predators, intertwining humor with ecological insights. Listener stories paint a vivid picture of wildflowers struggling under drought conditions, all while preparing for an exciting live show in a clearing blue sky. Embrace the beauty and stories of countryside life!
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INSIGHT

Rowan Berries Feed Thrushes

  • Rowan trees bear thousands of berries that attract thrushes and fieldfares.
  • Chris Skinner says bird digestion abrades seeds so rowan seeds germinate faster.
INSIGHT

Blackthorn Makes Bumper Sloe Crop

  • Warm spring produced an unprecedented crop of sloes on blackthorn.
  • Chris Skinner notes sloes taste acidic until sugars form later in autumn.
ANECDOTE

Barn Swallows: A Conservation Win

  • Swallows nest and feed young inside large farm barns, delighting visitors.
  • Matthew Gudgin and Chris Skinner call this a local conservation success.
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