The Plodcast

Do red squirrels make little boats to sail on? Nature writers of the 19th century thought so. In this episode, writer Caroline Greene explores some of the ideas and beliefs early nature writers had regarding our wildlife. Reading from a variety of amusing and bizarre sources, Caroline reveals the curious thinking of early observers of the natural world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Once a heavily polluted river, running though heavily industrialised landscapes, the River Tame is being restored from its source on the Pennine moors along its entire length in the Greater Manchester area and is now one of the best trout rivers in Britain. Follow angler and writer Andrew Griffiths as travels along the river meeting heroes from Moors for the Future, the Mersey Rivers Trust and the Wild Trout Trust for an incredibly heartening story of a river's resurrection. And for more on river walks, wildlife of our waterways and great conservation projects, visit countryfile.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Explore a forgotten forest on the edge of Bristol in the company of herbalist Maria Fernandez Garcia. Learn about the exciting flavours and healing powers of common plants such as dandelion and nettle and discover how to turn wayside weeds into useful cures. Find out more at Healing Weeds Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Enjoy the wild magic of a spring morning walk deep into ancient bluebell woods with cuckoos, redstarts, pied flycatchers and wood warblers. Plus a supporting cast of spring lambs and many other species. Beautiful and unmissable. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Meet acclaimed author, naturalist and broadcaster Tim Dee. At this time of year, the heart of springtime in Britain, Tim would normally be exploring his favourite oakwoods on Exmoor and the astonishing birdlife to be found there but, due to the COVID-19 lockdown, he is having to experience autumn in the southern hemisphere instead. Here he relives some of his memories by reading a rather magical chapter of his new book, Greenery: Journeys in Springtime. Listen on for a profoundly beautiful escape. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We head to Dorset this episode with nature writer and angler Kevin Parr to hear a magnificent dawn chorus in his village, tucked away in the hills. Kevin then takes us on his favourite local walk onto a local hill to hear find singing skylarks and stunning views of the Jurassic Coast. Listen out for the surprise finish when Kevin discovers fantastic beasts in his very own garden… It's a perfect escape into the countryside when you can't get there yourself. And don't forget to visit our website for all your countryside needs Image from Getty Images Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Climb a hill into the heart of the Brecon Beacons to encounter sparrowhawks, treecreepers and tangled oak woods full of mystery. Join Fergus Collins for a restorative blast of fresh air, nature and beautiful landscapes as spring bursts into life. Recorded on 30 March, 2020. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Settle down for a beautiful reading from The Amateur Poacher by Richard Jefferies and go back in time to the Wiltshire downs of the late 19th century. Follow the life of an almost forgotten countryside character, the moucher, a gentle who rogue roams the byways of the countryside finding a living and communing with nature. A total delight. Discover more about Richard Jefferies at https://richardjefferies.org/ And for more about the countryside wherever you are visit Countyfile.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn about The Community Farm at Chew Magna near Bristol and how it works to create a sustainable, nature friendly farming business that makes money and provides opportunities for work and training for a wide variety of local people. Margaret Bartlett visited to hear the inspiring story. For more information, visit The Community Farm Website Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Listen to delightful birdsong at the spring equinox. Fergus Collins wanders along a winding stream through a woodland in his homeland of Monmouthshire picking litter and identifying a variety of birds by their song. A lovely listen if you are currently unable to leave home and explore the countryside. For more information on how to bring the countryside to your home and garden, visit our website countryfile.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Recorded before the current lockdowns due to Coronavirus, this podcast allows you to take a wild wander across the heathland of Chobham Common in Surrey to hear the fabulous song of the woodlark in all its glory. Welcome in the first songs of spring in the last in the current season of the Countryfile Magazine podcast. We will be back soon to bring a bit of countryside joy to everyone who needs it. Please share Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Otters are elusive, elegant fish hunters but are becoming more common across the UK. But in Shetland, they are seen commonly all round the coast so naturalist James Fair headed to otter central to watch otters with expert John Campbell. And what John doesn't know about otters you could write on the back of a bullhead. Listen on for otter wonders… And if you'd like to find out more about Shetland and its wildlife, please visit our website Otter image from Getty Images. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Join a fascinating discussion with Corinne Pluchino of the Campaign for National Parks looking at how our most famous protected areas are faring and what needs to be done to ensure wild habitats and human inhabitants are provided for in the future. Will the Government follow the recommendations of the Glover Report? Plus, we answer whether the Norfolk question: are the Broads a national park or not? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Discover the 6th-century saint Melangell who defied a Welsh prince and created a sanctuary for people and wildlife in stunning Cwm Pennant on the edge of Snowdonia. Julie Brominicks takes a pilgrimage across the hills to find the hidden valley – where she meets with the Guardian of the Shrine the Reverend Christine Browne. Julie also encounters a modern threat to the tranquility of this sacred place that parallels the ancient story of Melangell. Image of the Church of Melangell from Getty Images. For more on the Shrine of Melangell, visit here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

An utterly delightful adventure with truffle hunter Tom Lywood and his dog Tobacco as they track down truffles in a woodland in south-west England. Learn about the ancient art of hunting these rare and much-prized treasures and why they are so special. And be envious of host Annabel Ross as she gets to taste one of nature's greatest treasures. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After last episode's adventure finding the official source of the River Thames near Cirencester, the team head north deeper into the Cotswolds in search of the beginnings of the River Churn, which some people believe is the true source of England's greatest river. But there's a further surprise in store. Listen on to find out how they got on. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The River Thames is Britain's most famous river but how many people have actually journeyed to its source? Fergus Collins braves floods and marshes to head upstream into the Cotswolds and track down the very beginnings of what Churchill described as the "golden thread running through our history". But what if the official spring at Thameshead isn't the true source? Listen on to hear a journey of watery discovery. Thank you to Jack Bateman and Hannah Tribe for helping create and produce this podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Shetland is becoming increasingly well known for its killer whale population – learn more about them as travel writer James Fair heads to Shetland mainland to talk to Hugh Harrop of Shetland Wildlife They also chat about the realities of life in winter so far north and other wildlife treasures of these magical isles. We are also pleased to announce that the BBC Countryfile Magazine podcast has been shortlisted for a Publisher Podcast Awards 2020. Image from Getty Images Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Writer, broadcaster and farmer Jonathan Dimbleby discusses his grand vision for the countryside, his love of horses and hunting and his life on TV and radio, while walking with our own Annabel Ross in the south Devon countryside. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jim Dixon collects and sells classic books on fly fishing from his bookshop in the Peak District town of Bakewell. Angler Andrew Griffiths meets with Jim to discuss the greatest book of fishing and natural history ever written – The Compleat Angler by Isaak Walton. Join them for a delightful chat about fly fishing, natural history and the British countryside Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Meet Annette Woolcock who promotes the eating of game through the organisation Taste of Game. Listen on for a fascinating discussion of the merits of eating wild meat PLUS the pros and cons of shooting in the modern British countryside. You can vote in the Eat Game Awards mentioned in the podcast until 29 February. Editor Fergus Collins hosts this podcast in the wonderful setting of the National Trust's Stourhead Estate in Wiltshire. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Escape the stress of daily life for a taste of fresh air and unusual wildlife with a wild winter walk along the clifftops of Glamorgan. Join Fergus Collins in a walk from Dunraven Bay to Monknash on a glorious Friday in early winter to encounter coughs, kestrels, gulls and the heartening song of the sea. For more information on the countryside and BBC Countryfile Magazine, visit countryfile.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Listen out for the start of season 4 on 7 January 2020. Here's a quick taste of what to expect… Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Join us for a gentle chat with the team at BBC Countryfile Magazine discussing the best wild experiences of 2019, what we would change about the countryside if we could and what makes the perfect Christmas present for lovers of the green outdoors. We'll be back with Season 4 of the podcast on 7 January 2020. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Listen to the song of the River Usk in autumn as you follow editor Fergus Collins on a gentle ramble through a recently flooded landscape to find wildfowl, waders and other creature. Plus, discover a blood-soaked story of treachery hidden in a peaceful riverside earthwork. This is the last of the series in season 4. We'll be returning with more podcasts in January 2020. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Explore the wonderful Lost Gardens of Heligan with its finder and restorer Tim Smit (who also established the Eden Project). Prepare yourself for some entertaining surprises as Tim discovers some of the more unusual produce of the magical vegetable garden. Tim is talking to Annabel Ross. You can find out more about the Lost Gardens by visiting the website Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Naturalist James Fair heads to the island of Mousa to experience an eerie and wonderful wildlife encounter: life inside a colony of storm petrels . These sparrow-sized seabirds nest among the stones of an Iron Age fortress and await the return of their mate each evening after a day's fishing. James also speaks to local boatman and wildlife expert Rodney Smith of the Mousa Boat https://www.mousa.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Take a wander through the autumn glades of the RSPB's Nagshead Nature Reserve in the company of Sarah Orme from In the Moment magazine to talk about mindfulness and how nature can provide us with the head space to cope with the stresses of modern life. However, there is an unexpected wildlife encounter to get the heart racing! In the Moment produce a brilliant podcast themselves talking to people from all walks of life about finding calmness and improving mental health. Thank you for listening! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Take an autumnal ramble with Simon Pickering, naturalist and ecological advisor to the green energy company Ecotricity. As we wander through restored wildflower meadows, Simon describes how wind, solar and aerobic digestion can supply all of Britain's energy needs in the future. For more about the British countryside, great walks and the latest rural news visit our action-packed website countryfile.com Cover photo by Alex Tyler Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Take a fascinating woodland walk with Lisa Fenton, a tracker, forager and bushcraft expert who can read the stories of a woodland. Here she talks to our own Eleanor Rosamund Barraclough at the Timber Festival in the National Forest in Leicestershire. Find out more at timber festival.org.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bear Wood, part of Bristol's Wild Place is the location of a surprising new project where bears, wolves, lynx and wolverines will be allowed to roam free in a vast enclosure of deciduous woodland as would once have done in Britain's ancient past. Our own Daniel Graham explored the new attraction in the company of Will and others from the Wild Place project. And don't forget to visit our website countryfile.com for everything you want to know and more about the British countryside. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Peter Wood creates beautiful furniture from natural materials using traditional skills and tools. Our own Eleanor Rosamund Barraclough joins him at the Timber Festival in the National Forest in Leicestershire to watch him teach others to learn this deeply satisfying woodland craft. Find out more about the British countryside at countryfile.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In early August, storms and exceptionally heavy rain overloaded a reservoir about the town of Whaley Bridge in Derbyshire – but it was the local vicar Father Jamie Macleod who first spotted the danger, raised the alarm and led the community response. He talks to our own Andrew Griffiths about these few summer days of epic drama. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Come with us to the Cambrian Mountains in Ceredigion in West Wales to the ruined Cistercian abbey of Strata Florida. Here locals historians are setting up an archaeology school where anyone can come along and dig among the 800-year-old ruins to help them build a better picture of this beautiful, mysterious and important site for Welsh culture and politics. So enjoy a day of treasure hunting deep in medieval Wales. For more on the British countryside, please visit countryfile.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Stuart Freeman and his horse Breeze work closely together to manage woodlands where big machines are impractical or cause too much damage. It's a charming story about our woods, wildlife and the friendship between one man and his horse – as told to Eleanor Rosamund Barraclough at the Timber Festival this summer in Leicestershire. For more on the British countryside, please visit our website countryfile.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack Perks is the first man to film or photograph every one of the UK's 54 species of freshwater fish. In this episode, we go fish watching with him on the River Frome and meet a host of wild creature, learn how he found and filmed all these elusive animals and discover some of the stranger 'fisherman's tales' from his adventures. This is the first of 12 episode in season 3. Find out more on countryfile.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Listen out for the start of season 3 on 27 August. Here's a quick taste of what to expect… Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Gone Fishing with Mortimer and Whitehouse was a surprise hit in 2017 – and now they're back for a second series to discuss life, death… and fish. Paul Whitehouse talks about why a series about "two old gits sitting on a riverbank" has been so popular and reveals a few secrets and funnies from the forthcoming series. The series begins in August 2019. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is Martin Down on the Hampshire, Wiltshire, Dorset border the best nature reserve in England for spring and summer wildlife? Editor Fergus Collins thinks so – he spends one fabulous evening wandering through orchid-filled meadows and serenaded by skylarks. Plus, listen out for an extraordinary encounter… For more on Martin Down, visit here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Countryfile Magazine team head out to the coast at Clevedon in North Somerset to tackle the menace of litter and help launch the litter heroes campaign led by Julia Bradbury and The Outdoor Guide . Meet great local characters changing the countryside for the better and enjoy a gentle day by the sea. For more on the Litter Heroes campaign and how you can make a difference, visit www.countryfile.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

High on a Lake District peak, outdoors photographer Dave Willis discusses what makes a great photograph, tips for improving your own shots of the countryside and how to make it as a professional photographer in the digital age. For more on the British countryside, please visit www.countryfile.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Surrounded by mountains, woods and meadows, Llangorse is Wales' most beautiful natural lake – but do its depths hide a secret? Fergus Collins goes in search of a mystery monster and discovers a watery wildlife paradise thronging with birdsong. But just what is 'Gorsey'? For more on the British countryside, please visit www.countryfile.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Part 2 of Adele Nozedar's wise and wonderful foraging walk in the Brecon Beacons in Monmouthshire. Learn the edible and medicinal uses of many common wayside flowers and other plants and listen to funny and curious tales from folklore. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Adele Nozedar shares wonderful stories and wisdom about edible wild plants while wondering through a Monmouthshire meadow. This is part one of a joyful two-part podcast with a wonderfully wise country woman – you'll learn a huge amount of folklore and the practical uses as food and medicine of many common plants. For more information, please visit https://www.countryfile.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Take a night-time nature ramble through a Gloucestershire woodland in the company of Countryfile Magazine editor Fergus Collins and wildlife-writer James Fair in the hope of hearing a nightingale. Plus, discover the best wildlife experiences you can have in the UK. For more information, visit our website https://www.countryfile.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Andrew Hall from the charity Campaign For National Parks says our most famous protected areas aren't doing enough for nature. He reveals a plan for how they can be reformed to become strongholds for the nation's wildlife and be revitalised for the people living and farming there, too. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Meet Sally Urwin who met a farmer on a dating website and ended up leaving her dead-end marketing job in the city to run his farm in the wilds of Northumberland. She's written a book about her experiences and reveals the big challenges she's faced – especially as she describes herself as "Britain's shortest farmer". For everything you need to know about the British countryside, please visit https://www.countryfile.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Following on episode 1's walk on the mysterious Wansdyke in Wiltshire, we talk to military historian Jim Storr, author of King Arthur's Wars, to discuss his intriguing theory as to why England is criss-crossed with ancient linear earthworks. Plus, we discover the real location of the mythical Camelot. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Roam the woods and downs of ancient Wiltshire in search of the Wansdyke – the Hadrian's Wall of southern England dug in Arthurian times to defend the south west from Saxon attackers. Plus enjoy glorious birdsong and butterflies as spring truly emerges on this glorious escape into beautiful British countryside. For everything you need to know about the British countryside, visit countryfile.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Artist and naturalist Emma Mitchell talks about how she uses natural materials and inspiration from walks in the countryside to craft beautiful things. She also highlights the powerful healing power of nature for mental and physical health issues. Find more from Emma on Instagram at silverpebble2 and on Twitter @silverpebble Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices