Safety Tips when Birding? (1 Viewer)

[anonymousbirder]

Hi,
I just had sort of an unsettling experience. I went to a hotspot I'd heard of. It ended up being in a secluded area. At first I was the only one there, but then a man pulled in. He had binoculars and a camera, but I never saw him use them. He didn't seem to be interested in the view either since he stayed in an area where the lake was blocked by some uninteresting foliage. Now he didn't actually hurt me or try to, but it just gave me a really strange feeling.
Anyway, the experience made me wonder what other birders do to stay safe in out-of-the-way areas. I carry mace, but does anyone have any safety tips?

 

[Mysticete]

If he had bins and camera, he was probably harmless: You might not have seen him use his bins much if he was earbirding, and he might have been more interested in the bushes and the lake, because at this time of year I would imagine the songbirds would be more interesting than the wildlife (I don't know where you are birding, but generally fall and winter over a large swath of the country are the peak waterfowl birding seasons. Summer tends to be more dull in that regards in most of the country.

As for personal safety, outside of maybe parts of Texas along the Rio Grande, I have never felt all that uneasy about other people when birding. That's partly because I am a white dude: if I was a minority in some parts of the country or a woman I might feel differently. I've always been more concerned about environmental hazards, like heat stroke, ticked off bees, or my car getting stuck someplace remote. Or mountains lions, although the last isn't all that rational. Depending on local rules, if you are concerned I would probably carry mace or an equivalent I guess.

 

[qwerty5]

I can't imagine why someone would drive to a secluded birding hotspot to harm someone, especially if he was carrying binoculars and a camera.

 

[anonymousbirder]

I can't imagine why someone would drive to a secluded birding hotspot to harm someone, especially if he was carrying binoculars and a camera.

That's the thing, though. He wasn't carrying them. I saw them when he got out of his car and rummaged around in his trunk, but he didn't take them out. He also started cleaning his windshield. I don't mean using his windshield wipers. He was manually cleaning it. I'm not saying he was definitely up to no good, but people go there to look at the lake and shorebirds, and he didn't behave like most people do when they go to a bird sanctuary. Could he have just pulled over to relax for a bit? Sure. But it was weird.

 

[Lerxst]

Wife and I once took a cab to a large metropolitan park on the outskirts of Quito. Place looked great, especially some trails going off into the woods, far from the noisy families in the park proper. We went down a trail a ways and noticed a guy always behind us, with bins. Then my wife realized that he was constantly watching us through them, and trying to stay partly hidden. It got creepy as hell and we decided maybe the more populated parts of the park were not so bad...

Earlier that day in another city park, a cop approached us and warned us about our bins and camera being visible and that we were going to be obvious targets.

 

[Andy Adcock]

That's the thing, though. He wasn't carrying them. I saw them when he got out of his car and rummaged around in his trunk, but he didn't take them out. He also started cleaning his windshield. I don't mean using his windshield wipers. He was manually cleaning it. I'm not saying he was definitely up to no good, but people go there to look at the lake and shorebirds, and he didn't behave like most people do when they go to a bird sanctuary. Could he have just pulled over to relax for a bit? Sure. But it was weird.

Do you mind if I ask your gender, you write 'Now he didn't actually hurt me or try to' and to me, that doesn't sound like something a man would say?

It shouldn't be this way but sadly it is and a female has to take extra care. Take a companion on any walks, especially where they are unfamiliar with the area or if they know they'll be going somewhere remote. You might also consider cartrying mave or Bear spray and a rape alarm but again, it shouldn't be this way, it's a messed up World we live in.

I've never felt uneasy anywhere (unless you count the time I fell on my arse in India as I swung my boot at a dog that was trying to bite me and I had visions of this mutt, moving in for the kill as I floundered in the dust) but I am quite physically capable of defending myself though I do know people as capable as me who have been on the end of an attempted robbery.

 

[Farnboro John]

Be alert to your surroundings (other than the wildlife you are watching)

Research your destination before going (individuals' reviews may be more help than group trip reports or location brochures/websites).

The most uncomfortable (frightened is not too much of an exaggeration) I've ever felt despite being chased on occasions by Capercaillies, Alligators and Sea Lions and once having walked along a road 25 yards from a male Tiger, was in a park in Miami where I and two friends were looking for Spot-breasted Oriole. We were pre-briefed and noticed we were being followed at distance, so stayed out of cover and kept more than half an eye on our pursuers. We cracked quite quickly, returned to the car and that was that for birding Miami. Outside Miami we never felt threatened in a fortnight of birding (well once while having an icecream but it turned out the bloke was friendly).

John

 

[Andy Adcock]

The most uncomfortable (frightened is not too much of an exaggeration) I've ever felt despite being chased on occasions by Capercaillies, Alligators and Sea Lions and once having walked along a road 25 yards from a male Tiger, was in a park in Miami where I and two friends were looking for Spot-breasted Oriole. We were pre-briefed and noticed we were being followed at distance, so stayed out of cover and kept more than half an eye on our pursuers. We cracked quite quickly, returned to the car and that was that for birding Miami. Outside Miami we never felt threatened in a fortnight of birding (well once while having an icecream but it turned out the bloke was friendly).

John

He wasn't called George by any chance

 

[qwerty5]

That's the thing, though. He wasn't carrying them. I saw them when he got out of his car and rummaged around in his trunk, but he didn't take them out. He also started cleaning his windshield. I don't mean using his windshield wipers. He was manually cleaning it. I'm not saying he was definitely up to no good, but people go there to look at the lake and shorebirds, and he didn't behave like most people do when they go to a bird sanctuary. Could he have just pulled over to relax for a bit? Sure. But it was weird.

That does sound a bit creepy. Just be aware of your surroundings, and perhaps carry pepper spray or something similar.

 

[Himalaya]

I have had by camera and binocular robbed at gun point once (not in the UK). I find that urban areas that have secluded spots or out of sight areas with escape routes are the worst.

 

[Jim M.]

I think for women the obvious safety precaution is try to avoid birding alone in secluded areas. Try to develop a network of birding associates with similar interests. As a man, my primary concern birding locally in the eastern US is hostile landowners and dogs. I was once threatened by a landowner with brass knuckles who was convinced I was staking out his house for a burglary. I usually carry a knife and/or pepper spray as a last resort, but have never had to use them.

 

[anonymousbirder]

Wife and I once took a cab to a large metropolitan park on the outskirts of Quito. Place looked great, especially some trails going off into the woods, far from the noisy families in the park proper. We went down a trail a ways and noticed a guy always behind us, with bins. Then my wife realized that he was constantly watching us through them, and trying to stay partly hidden. It got creepy as hell and we decided maybe the more populated parts of the park were not so bad...

Earlier that day in another city park, a cop approached us and warned us about our bins and camera being visible and that we were going to be obvious targets.

That's terrifying! I'm sorry you went through that!

 

[anonymousbirder]

I have had by camera and binocular robbed at gun point once (not in the UK). I find that urban areas that have secluded spots or out of sight areas with escape routes are the worst.

I'm sorry to hear that you had to go through that. Were you injured?

 

[anonymousbirder]

Do you mind if I ask your gender, you write 'Now he didn't actually hurt me or try to' and to me, that doesn't sound like something a man would say?

It shouldn't be this way but sadly it is and a female has to take extra care. Take a companion on any walks, especially where they are unfamiliar with the area or if they know they'll be going somewhere remote. You might also consider cartrying mave or Bear spray and a rape alarm but again, it shouldn't be this way, it's a messed up World we live in.

I've never felt uneasy anywhere (unless you count the time I fell on my arse in India as I swung my boot at a dog that was trying to bite me and I had visions of this mutt, moving in for the kill as I floundered in the dust) but I am quite physically capable of defending myself though I do know people as capable as me who have been on the end of an attempted robbery.

I think for women the obvious safety precaution is try to avoid birding alone in secluded areas. Try to develop a network of birding associates with similar interests. As a man, my primary concern birding locally in the eastern US is hostile landowners and dogs. I was once threatened by a landowner with brass knuckles who was convinced I was staking out his house for a burglary. I usually carry a knife and/or pepper spray as a last resort, but have never had to use them.

That does sound a bit creepy. Just be aware of your surroundings, and perhaps carry pepper spray or something similar.

Be alert to your surroundings (other than the wildlife you are watching)

Research your destination before going (individuals' reviews may be more help than group trip reports or location brochures/websites).

The most uncomfortable (frightened is not too much of an exaggeration) I've ever felt despite being chased on occasions by Capercaillies, Alligators and Sea Lions and once having walked along a road 25 yards from a male Tiger, was in a park in Miami where I and two friends were looking for Spot-breasted Oriole. We were pre-briefed and noticed we were being followed at distance, so stayed out of cover and kept more than half an eye on our pursuers. We cracked quite quickly, returned to the car and that was that for birding Miami. Outside Miami we never felt threatened in a fortnight of birding (well once while having an icecream but it turned out the bloke was friendly).

John

Yes, I am a woman.
Thank you all for your advice!

 

[birdmeister]

The only thing that I can really add is to always lock your car! That's not quite a tip for personal safety but will still quickly ruin a day.

In general, I've rarely felt threatened when out birding. Most places where I felt rather secluded or noticed something odd in the woods resulted in me spending a bit less time there. One final bit is that the Appalachian Trail is definitely a wooded stretch to keep your head on a swivel at. Shady characters are definitely present, and I know of a hawk watch in Pennsylvania where the counter arrived one morning and was threatened by illegal campers with dogs.

Again, though, most locations are fairly safe, especially well-known birding hotspots.

 

[jurek]

Please, feel my sadness for an unpleasant trip!

About your experience, I think the guy most likely waited to photograph some particular songbird in the bushes, but the bird did not show itself. Or he waited for you to leave, to shart photographing or set up a photo tent without disturbance. Like others already mentioned, it is not likely that a robber or a rapist would bring expensive optical equipment, and a car which number plates you could photograph. He actually could be afraid himself of being robbed of his camera by you.

My experience from teenage years is that city parks and outskirts of habitations can be dangerous. However, away from man and in the wilderness I feel safe, because muggers, thieves, mentally disturbed people etc. stick near other people. The only danger in the wilderness are hunters shooting where and what they cannot see.

In towns and villages in unfamiliar countries I also observe the rule: if local women and children are visible, the place can be considered safe.

PS. The rule two by extension: if a restaurant or a food stall is packed by local people, the food is probably safe and good. Food poisoning is more common when traveling than assault.

 

[Mysticete]

On the plus, at least us birders are usually not a threat to each other. I've heard of herpers threatening other herpers at gunpoint over collecting turf.

 

[qwerty5]

About your experience, I think the guy most likely waited to photograph some particular songbird in the bushes, but the bird did not show itself. Or he waited for you to leave, to shart photographing or set up a photo tent without disturbance. Like already mentioned, it is not likely that a robber or a rapist would bring expensive optical equipment, and a car which number plates you could photograph. He could actually be afraid himself of being robbed of his camera by you.

He could have been waiting to meet someone as well. There are usually endless possibilities for someone's motives, but we usually tend to get unsettled by the one dangerous possibility.

 

[delia todd]

The only thing that I can really add is to always lock your car! That's not quite a tip for personal safety but will still quickly ruin a day.

...and even if you're in the car, keep an eye on the boot (er... trunk in the US?)!!!

One member here a few years ago was sitting in his car having his lunch, when he realised the boot had been opened; before he could react and get out a couple of youths were running away with his telescope!!

 

[Andy Adcock]

In South Africa, there's a parking spot on 'Sir Lowrey's Pass' for those wanting to look for Cape Rockjumper which is a notorious spot for car break ins and I mean, notorious. On the two occasions we could have gone there to look for the bird, we were in transit between sites and accommodations meaning our car was packed with everything we had with us. Because of this, we didn't want to risk leaving our car there and subsequently, didn't see the Rockjumper.

Bottom line, minimise risk.