The Plodcast

How natural flood defences can prevent flooding and increase biodiversity. Annabel Ross takes a walk with the Chair of the Environment Agency Emma Howard Boyd and Tom Dauben who is the Environment Agency’s lead for the natural flood management scheme.The Dartmoor Headwaters Natural Flood Management project aims to reduce flood risk to communities on and around Dartmoor using natural solutions. It is a partnership between the Environment Agency and Dartmoor National Park Authority, working in collaboration with many community, landowner groups and other partners.Annabel also explores the subject of river pollution in England and the Environment Agencies role in tackling it.Please do send comments and questions to editor@countryfile.comHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's a sunny Sunday afternoon on the allotment with a cool, gentle breeze. You can hear the murmur of allotmenteers at work with a backdrop of birdsong and the occasional barking dog. As the smell of cut grass raises the spirits, you can hear that the new season has given everyone a spring in their steps. BBC Countryfile Magazine's Sound Escapes are a gentle postcard from the British countryside each week that allows you a soothing few minutes escape into the wild, wherever you are.Recorded by Jack Bateman, presented by Hannah Tribe. Image from Getty Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In part two of our special angling adventure on the Rivers Isle and Parrett in Somerset, Kevin Parr and plodcast host Fergus continue their gentle meander along the water chatting about wildlife and occasionally catching a fish.Later, Kevin joins the plodcast team in the studio to talk pike, adders, otters and other wildlife joys of spring.Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It hadn’t rained for a week, but just as the garden was beginning to show its thirst, a single drop falls. Then two more. The sky releases a long, slow rumble then spills open like a long-held breath finally being freed. The sound of the rain is most satisfying down by the pond, somewhere to sit a while and enjoy the gentle patter of the year’s first spring shower. Recorded by Daniel Graham, presented by Hannah Tribe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Angler and writer Kevin Parr leads a gentle day's angling on the River Isle. Plodcast host Fergus joins Kev to learn the art of coarse fishing in the peaceful surrounding of the Somerset Levels. Listen on for a marvellous day in very early spring with birdsong, fish and the voice of the river.Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Where the heath meets the woods by a pool, deep in the New Forest, the warm spring sun stirs many birds into song. A marsh tit sings and then a stock dove repeats its prudish crooning to a backdrop of blue tits and robins. A Forest pony comes closer to investigate. Recorded by Fergus Collins and presented by Hannah TribeBBC Countryfile Magazine's Sound Escapes are a gentle postcard from the British countryside each week that allows you a soothing few minutes escape into the wild, wherever you are. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Head for a wander around RSPB Otmoor in Oxfordshire in late winter with Rebecca Wrigley from Rewilding Britain argues the case for huge change across the countryside to provide space for nature and opportunities for local people. Annabel Ross is your host.Later the Plodcast team discuss how to rewild a city plus the power of the urban peregrine.Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's high tide on the northern coast of mainland Shetland – a bitterly icy day but the sun is out, puffins are on the water offshore and fulmars are scouting breeding sites on the nearby cliffs. In a small, seldom visited cove, the waves surge up and down the shore. Recorded by Megan Shersby and introduced by Hannah Tribe. BBC Countryfile Magazine's Sound Escapes are a gentle postcard from the British countryside each week that allows you a soothing few minutes escape into the wild, wherever you are. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alix Chiddley-Uttely helps run her family's 100-acre farm in the stunning Shropshire Hills. In this episode, she invites Plodcast host Fergus to meet her ewes and newborn lambs as well as a host of other colourful animal characters during the morning rounds of feeding and checking. She reveals how it's still possible to make a good living from a small family-run farming business and tells some wonderful stories about local legends. Plus, everything you need to know about sheep.Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A day of rain has left the river running high and fast. The path on the bank is muddy. The air dank and cold. It could be deepest winter, if not for the riot of dusk birdsong spilling down from the trees beside the track. Gulls, blackbirds, wrens, great tits, and at one point a buzzard. There’s something about chatter of a heron – perched on his huge nest in the trees – that brings the greatest joy. Recorded by Daniel Graham and presented by Hannah Tribe. BBC Countryfile Magazine's Sound Escapes are a gentle postcard from the British countryside each week that allows you a soothing few minutes escape into the wild, wherever you are. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices