I was bracing myself for the dog invasion but the first two dog walkers respectfully kept away from the wader area as did the sea, in fact it didn't bother coming in; no wonder none of the regular boys were out there, a 4.8m tide is not good enough!
Then there was a wild dog chasing round and round so the birds went up in what its owner described as a murmuration. It seems its alright if you are a) local,though Scottish by accent b) visit 3 times a day, c) follow bird migration on the computer and d) are accompanied often by a 'senior'* RSPB man! This in response to my attempted polite lecturette on resting migrants etc.
I wonder if there is any mileage in the idea that the roost should be wardened this August week in future years when the high tide coincides with times of heavy pressure? Should we Cere birders be prepared to help do that? That some people are keeping dogs under control and away from the birds gives me some hope that the message might get through to a wider audience.
Meanwhile Toffy is giving me the cold shoulder chasing ball in the garden.
* I think the word was 'senior'...