Episode 2.63 - Cricket Bat Canopies and Tally Tales

In the soft pre-dawn light of mid-March at High Ash Farm, Chris Skinner sits patiently in the Fox's Grove hide hoping for a glimpse of the elusive willow tit, one of the farm's dwindling specialities, while blue tits, coal tits and long-tailed tits swarm the feeders. Later, joined by Matthew Gudgin in a newly planted extension of Woodcock Wood, they celebrate the willow – all five British species thrive here, from towering white and crack willows to the three sallow species. Chris cuts a whip of goat willow, its yellow catkins (known locally as goslings) providing vital early pollen for emerging bumblebees. The trees' rich history unfolds: their flexible wood once used for coracles, baskets and cricket bats (with a family link to the famous Watts bat makers), and the dramatic tale of how pollarded willow tally sticks accidentally burned down the Houses of Parliament exactly 200 years ago in 1826. A thrilling red kite spirals and stoops dramatically overhead, while purple emperors are known to lay eggs on the willow canopy. Listener letters spark lively discussion: debate over wild brown trout fishing, complaints about Rat the terrier's barking, clever robins stealing from tit feeders, and striking photos of elm bark beetle galleries. This episode honours one of Britain's most versatile and historically significant trees, ideal for marvelling at nature's quiet ingenuity as spring awakens.

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