Chris Skinner's Countryside Podcasts Episode 2.45 - Teasel Treasures and Skylark Symphonies
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Nov 9, 2025 Join a delightful exploration of autumn at High Ash Farm, where flocks of goldfinches feast on teasels amidst historical musings on Roman agriculture. Discover the fascinating life of a green woodpecker and the incredible displays of lapwings as winter approaches. Skylarks dazzle with courtship flights over vibrant nectar fields, while the podcast reflects on changing farming practices and the importance of biodiversity. Also, explore the habits of insects searching for winter hideaways, all under the warm glow of a mild November morning.
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Golden Teasel Flock
- Chris describes a huge flock of over 100 goldfinches feeding on teasels beside a permissive walk at High Ash Farm.
- He explains teasels' seed retention, biennial lifecycle, and their value for butterflies and winter cover.
Manage Teasels Seasonally
- Do mow teasels in late winter (Feb–March) and harvest leftover seed to manage the biennial cycle.
- This maintains cover for birds and nectar for butterflies the following summer.
Farming Shift From Production To Diversification
- Chris links farmland shifts to economic pressures and diversification like solar and public access rather than food production.
- He warns UK food self-sufficiency has dropped to about 60%, which he finds worrying.