Great Snipe at Kilnsea

Well we made it. Left around 0730 and got there just before 1100, with the only real problem being the usual one crossing the Humber Bridge and no warning of the toll price until you get to pay at the booth. Parked outside the Bluebell and walked all of 20 yards to the gate where a very small crowd had gathered.
The local with the collection bucket greeted us and told us to look over the gate and under the tree about ten feet away where the Snipe was sleeping in full view. They are not supposed to do this, they are supposed to hide in long grass and remain all but invisible.
Most of the crowd were over the other side sitting alongside the drive, so we went round and waited, with the occasional House Martin and Swallow flying overhead.
It woke up a couple of times to preen and eventually started to feed, unfortunately the background of plastic bags and rubbish did not enhance the images as we fired away. It ended up behind the tree among the nettles but after a while came out and approached us giving superb views for around fifteen minutes or so. It then went back to the tree and fell asleep again.

We left around 1215 and headed up to a lane leading to Sammy's Point where a Red Backed Shrike had been seen. Unfortunately no-one had seen it for several hours so we went down to the point and scanned the mudflats for waders, though most were very distant and the light was poor. Lots of Redshanks, Curlews, Dunlin and Golden Plover, plus Shelducks and some flyby Meadow Pipits

We headed up to Hornsea Mere where a Great White Egret had been for some time. It did not show in the very strong westerlies, though the sky was full of hirundines-apparently one or two Swifts were present. Two Little Gulls were present at this regular site and posed well.
With nothing else in the area we came home-another good run, but nothing to detour for on the way back.