Episode 56: A Hornet's Nest

Chris Skinner and Matthew Gudgin are distracted early on in their journey around High Ash Farm. They spot Norfolk's largest black bird, busy preening it's feathers in a nearby tree. They keep a safe distance as they admire the work of a hornet queen who has built an enormous nest all by herself! Chris describes the fascinating but difficult life cycle of Britain's largest wasp. Chris then marks the official start of autumn by showing Matthew a yellow plant that celebrates the sun known as the Autumn Hawkbit. Back in the truck the pair answer the sack load of letters and emails sent in. They include the identification of a strange growth on a wild rose, bird boxes, bees and Jimi Hendrix. Click here to download the MP3 file of this episode. Chris Skinner's Countryside Podcast was produced by SOUNDYARD - a non-profit company on a mission to turn up the volume on under-heard voices. Join the SOUNDYARD newsletter