Masked Lapwings beat road to ruin

They looked to be on the road to ruin, but Masked Lapwing (Vanellus miles) eggs plonked down on Orient Road (earlier post) survived all the passing traffic and the last of the four was on the way out of the shell today. Would have stayed for the emergence but heavy cloud and rain was nearly on us so left parents to stay on top of the two still in the 'nest'.

Just up the road, spotted Latham's Snipe (Gallinago hardwickii) and just missed catching it in focus on takeoff. Another snipe also flushed nearby. Surprising, since I've spotted few snipe along the road this season and most of the birds have in the last few days apparently moved on, starting the long flight back to the Northern Hemisphere.