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Author: tsechien aka Choo Tse Chien
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Article is copyright of tsechien aka Choo Tse Chien
Birding Roadtrip Safety
Seeing that there are now almost weekly northward jaunts for birding in Malaysia and the chronically recurring horror stories about equipment theft and the uncanny ability of crooks to detect cameras & laptops in cars, I thought pen out some basic precautions here lest a few of us get too caught up in the excitement of the chase and let our guard down.
Highways in Malaysia
If you are travelling with a car load full of camera gear (and a lot of us haul a LOT of gear!), there are several things to consider in a long trip.
If travelling alone, try not to stop (for a meal etc) unless it is for fuel or toilet. If you really have to stop to eat, at least keep your car in plain sight from where you decide to sit. Choose a rest stop that is less congested and offers easier parking. Avoid those where the express buses stop and there will be invariably hordes of people and where you finally sit will be far away from your car. It only takes a split second to break in and getaway so in the time you queue up at Burger King is more than ample for bad things to happen.
If travelling in a group, at least 1 person stays with the gear in the car while the rest go in for toilet stops. Rotate and don't all rush into the loo at the same time. Your gear will be long gone before you zip up!
Best is to pack a sandwich and eat on the go.
If you really have to leave the vehicle, carry along all your gear with you. I can tell you that it will be safer to have your 600mm seated beside you at the eatery in plain sight than resting in the car concealed. Again, keep your guard up. Bags have been known to disappear from the table in a distraction.
Moral of the story : Do not leave anything valuable in the car however impractical it may seem to carry it out with you. Concealment from sight in the car with a groundsheet or tarp is ineffective.
Birding in deserted places
When moving into a deserted birding spot away from the beaten path, take a quick glance at your rear mirror to see if anybody is noticing your entrance and slip in quietly and fast. Remote birding spots often only have 1 entrance & exit so if crooks notice an expensive SUV going in with camera gear, they will know exactly where you will be and how long you will be in there. Sneak in as it were.
Once in there, be aware of your surroundings not only for birds but for other people who may have arrived before you but are not in plain sight. Very often I see a motorbike parked in the bush but the owner is nowhere to be found. He could well be 5 meters in the bush looking at you as you drive past but you cannot see him.
When encountering strangers, a broad smile disarms any suspicion each of you have for one another. I find that if the other party smiles back, there is less likelihood of bad intentions forming. If you smile and they guy avoids eye contact, it might be prudent not to wander too far from your car and to look for a possible quick exit later.
Luckily kampung folk are generally friendly and have no ill intentions. Just be aware that you are in their turf and their rules might apply. They may well be the very ones you call on for help if anything bad happens.
Hotels
If you are on an overnight trip, choose a hotel that is bigger, brighter and has safe & decent car parking. Be prepared to pay more for safer accommodation as this is a penalty of travelling with so much valuable gear. Saving a few bucks for a cheaper hotel puts you, your gear and your car at risk so it is really not worth it.
Other Safety Aspects
Note that the adrenalin runs high when faced with the prospects of getting that rare bird but weariness creeps in on the return leg. Birding spots are often way off the beaten track and remote, great distances need to be covered. Know your limits and do not push it. Falling asleep on the wheel is a real possibility after a 5 hour drive, 7 hour birding walk and having to return to point of origin all in 24 hours. Break the journey with a good night's sleep or rotate drivers. Plan realistically
Insurance
If you can find a company willing to offer a cover for your camera & lenses against theft, it is worth going for it if you do a lot of roadtrips. Losing all your gear will be a sure way of killing all enthusiasm you have for this hobby.
Just be aware of your surroundings out there and do not only focus on the birdies, okay?
Article is copyright of tsechien aka Choo Tse Chien
