Episode 2.67 - Spring Swallow Spectacle and Woodland Whites

On a gloriously warm early-April morning at High Ash Farm, Chris Skinner and Matthew Gudgin celebrate the long-awaited arrival of the swallows — fifteen adults sweeping in together in a single batch, already busily cleaning and repairing last year’s nests in the stables. Chris explains the ingenious double-roofing solution he installed to prevent the young from overheating in summer, and the epic 5,000-mile journey these tiny birds make each year from South Africa. A gentle walk through Notre Dame Wood reveals wild cherry trees in glorious creamy-white blossom and blackthorn thickets frothing with white flowers, while ground ivy carpets the floor and bumblebees hum through the warm air. Hares are spotted in the fields and a red kite quarters overhead. Listener letters bring extra delight: returning rookeries, clever robins at feeders, barn owl updates, and warm wishes for Chris’s continued recovery. This episode bubbles with the energy of spring — mass swallow arrivals, cherry blossom, and the first true signs of summer — ideal for savouring the small wonders that make every day on the farm special.

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2432378/episodes/18994933-episode-2-67-spring-swallow-spectacle-and-woodland-whites.mp3?download=true