Visited a new venue last week, Dryhill Picnic Site.   Well known for its geological specialities, with "Rag and Hassock", Ragstone sandwiched with the more easily eroded Sandstone which gives strong lines in the strata, especially where it has been uplifted and folded.   Here endeth the geology lesson (or at least my recollection of this from years ago)

Anyway, perhaps we were a little early for the best of this site, but a spring visit will be more impressive I'm sure.

Rags and Hassock

After a couple of hours spent here - which included a set to with a dog walker with five dogs off leads in an area where the signage advises they have to be ON the lead.   Apparently we were causing a problem!

Next stop Sevenoaks and more photographic opportunities there.

Grey Heron on their nest

There were many plants shooting, and birds preparing for nesting.   The Grey Heron pair were bringing more sticks to the nest and weaving them into shape.   A juvenile from last year was in the area, and kept being shooed away by the male on the nest.

Male Mallard outside the hide

All the ducks appeared to be paired up and lapwing were displaying - always great to see and hear.

Snipe feeding

Around eight Snipe were feeding in the longer grass by the edge of one of the lakes, not always easy to see - once you got your eye in, and they started to move around they were very obliging.

As we left the car park a Grey Squirrel sat on a fencepost to make sure we left.

Grey Squirrel making sure we leave!

Our final sighting was one of the best - on the fields outside the reserve in amongst the horses - were large numbers of Fieldfare and Redwing.