And how does someone prove they're birdwatching once they've proven they're a
birdwatcher?
I've got my BOCA membership card in my wallet, along with my WTP permit, which
would be sure to impress. I would also have my notebook, listing what I'd seen
on that and previous days.
I can imagine people would be concerned if they saw someone appearing to look
at their houses with binoculars, or pointing a big camera lens at them. It's
interesting in this case that the concerned person appears to have rung a
neighbour who happens to be a policeman, rather than the police. Seems like an
odd thing to do if you're that worried. Makes me wonder if he really was a
policeman.
I'm usually careful to face away from houses and schools if I'm near them. I
was challenged by the security guard patrolling the Mobil complex when I was
birding along Kororoit Creek in Altona last week, and he was happy with the
explanation. It might have been a different story if I'd been actually looking
into the complex instead of away from it, as it is an offence to photograph
such places, so he'd be entitled to call the police.
After Lewin's Rails were discovered in the pond behind a girls' school in
Altona I emailed the school to let them know why there were suddenly lots of
people with binoculars and telescopes wandering around. No idea if they even
read it, but at least it had been done in case anyone had to justify their
presence.
It's a pity to have to worry about these things, but if you're going to walk
around with high powered optics, I think you have to expect people to worry.
I don't think there's any cause for concern on your part - he did accept the
explanation. If I was regularly checking the same street, and was challenged
like that, I'd consider printing a note to put in a few letter boxes.
Peter Shute
> -----Original Message-----
> From:
> On Behalf Of Bill Stent
> Sent: Monday, 29 March 2010 1:55 PM
> To: Alistair McKeough; Judith L-A
> Cc:
> Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] can hardly believe it
>
> I'd like to know how you'd prove you're a birdwatcher. I can
> think of no supporting evidence, apart from being able to
> bore the policeman about birds, but any well prepared
> spy/mugger/peeping tom could have that as a cover story.
>
> Bill
>
> --------------------------------------------------
> From: "Alistair McKeough" <>
> Sent: Monday, March 29, 2010 1:09 PM
> To: "Judith L-A" <>
> Cc: <>
> Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] can hardly believe it
>
> > Where did that happen Judith? It is, or course, arrant nonsense.
> >
> > On 29 March 2010 12:52, Judith L-A
> <> wrote:
> >
> >> Being a lone woman, I was birding from my car window on
> the weekend,
> >> when an off-duty policeman pulled up behind me, & demanded
> I prove I
> >> was a birdwatcher, & advised me that whenever I stopped
> the car I had
> >> to go into all the surrounding houses & inform them I am a
> >> birdwatcher.
> >>
> >> !Judith.
> >>
> >> --
> >>
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