Chris Skinner and Matthew Gudgin delight at the arrival of spring at High Ash Farm. They observe the nesting rooks, the blooming daffodils and violets, and the budding pussy willow. They explore the presence of harvest mice and deer in the area by observing the tracks and footprints left in the soil. Chris shares some historical and botanical knowledge about the willow tree and its uses, including its role in the creation of cricket bats. They also answer listener questions about the River Tas, the effectiveness of bat crossings on major roads, and their favourite places to spot adders in the UK.Click here to download the MP3 file of this episode.Click here to donate to the podcast. If you have a question that you'd like Chris to answer on the podcast, send an email to: chris@countrysidepodcast.co.ukJoin the official Chris Skinner's Countryside Podcast newsletterChris Skinner's Countryside Podcast is produced by SOUNDYARD - a non-profit company on a mission to turn up the volume on under-heard voices. Join the SOUNDYARD newsletter