Safety for female birders
With an outpouring of concern about violence against women, here are a few examples of how all birders can ensure the hobby is enjoyed by all…
This is my mobile number”, he said. “Look out for those Waxwings and feel free to send me a message if you see them.” No pressure on me, just helpful birding advice and a way to share the news if I saw the birds. I had not met him before, but we’d spent time sharing birds on a nature reserve and I felt I could trust him.
Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. As I write this, women’s safety is an issue blaring from every newspaper front page. In a week bookended by International Women’s Day and Mothering Sunday, we all share the grief of Sarah Everard’s family, distraught and bewildered by the death of
an innocent girl walking home after visiting a friend. The fact that the man charged was a serving policeman makes the pain even more raw.
As children, we are brought up to take care around other people; ‘stranger danger’ is drilled into everyone from early childhood. We are all taught to be wary of unsolicited approaches by people we don’t know and to apply caution before jumping into a situation which may prove dangerous. But do the paths of boys and girls diverge as we grow older?
As a female, if I am on my own in an urban situation, I’ll avoid walking down narrow passageways and dark streets. My keys are either in my hand or in a readily accessible pocket. I never walk around with my hearing blocked by headphones, and I’m always aware of who else is walking near me.
Do men unconsciously take these same steps for their own safety?
So, how about going birdwatching? By and large, it involves visiting rural areas that may be off the beaten track. Birds aren’t just on managed nature reserves with visitor centres, well-kept trails, hides, staff, volunteers, and other visitors.
They are just as likely to be in remote locations away from towns or villages, maybe down a narrow lane, along an overgrown footpath or up a steep mountainside. And the more remote the location, the less likely there is to be any mobile phone signal, let alone a public payphone (remember them?!). By its very nature, birdwatching takes you to places away from other people, whether they may be a danger or a saviour.
Birdwatching behaviour
Does that mean that women should not go birdwatching? Is it no longer safe to go out on our own? Perhaps women should only birdwatch in groups or with a male escort for their safety? Of course, that is a ludicrous suggestion, not to be considered seriously for an instant. However, I believe that women do already moderate their behaviour when they are out birdwatching, so perhaps it’s not so far-fetched.
What is it like to be a female birdwatcher? I have always maintained that I am a birdwatcher first and foremost, I just happen to be female. I love birds – seeing them, hearing them, identifying them, watching their behaviour.
At every opportunity, I go out to watch birds; they take me to a happy place. Throughout lockdown, I have walked on my local limestone headland called the Great Orme. It is very steep in places and the physical exercise has helped counteract any lockdown chocolate overindulgences, but more importantly, the birds here have lifted my spirits and improved my mental health. Watching the aerial acrobatics of our local Chough, I’m completely absorbed by the birds and any worries vanish.
Birdwatching is good for you and should be encouraged at every opportunity. I am lucky to have a partner who shares my passion for birds, and I love the fact that Alan and I share so much of our birding. But I also occasionally enjoy going birding alone. I relish that quiet moment when I’m on my own but surrounded by nature. It is uplifting, exhilarating, and soothing all at once, and it is something I’m not prepared to forego.
However, I’ve been paying more attention this week to how I feel and behave when I’m out birdwatching on my own and I realise that, consciously or not, I moderate my behaviour when I’m birding solo. I always let someone know where I’m going and roughly how long I will be, just in case of any difficulties. My phone is always charged and close to hand, ready to take a photo or make a call if I need to.
If I’m looking for birds, I’m already scanning in all directions as I walk, for example for the tell-tale movement of a Stonechat flicking its tail as it perches on a Gorse bush. I look over my shoulder to double-check that lump on a rock really wasn’t a Wheatear, even from this direction. However, when I’m on my own I realise I’m also automatically
MOST MEN DO ALSO MODERATE THEIR BEHAVIOUR AROUND WOMEN WHEN THEY ARE ON THEIR OWN
registering every other person I can see, something I don’t do when I’m with birding with others.
Is that walker over there male or female? Is he alone? Which way is he going? Is there anyone else behind me? I change my route rather than meet someone head-on at a narrow point in the track. I stop at a viewpoint to let someone overtake rather than follow me. Nothing extreme but I realise I’m doing this automatically because I’m alone.
Do men do the same thing when they are out birdwatching? I suspect not. From a straw poll of my local male birding friends, the consensus is that they go to watch birds where they want, when they want and in any way they want. Whether it is safe for them to do so on their own doesn’t even come into consideration.
They go somewhere and watch birds. End of. But in fact, it isn’t always so simple. Most men do also moderate their behaviour around women when they are on their own, simply because they are on their own. Rather than engage a woman in conversation, they may simply pass by with just a nod of acknowledgement, for fear of any further interaction being misconstrued.
The simple pleasure of one person pointing out a bird to another birdwatcher may be denied in case the behaviour is seen as predatory. It is a sad reflection of life today, that sometimes we don’t dare to make human contact simply because of the perceived potential risks involved. The few have spoiled things for the many.
But only if we let them. What can we do to make birdwatching a safe and enjoyable pastime for everyone?
Having respect for one another is fundamental. We should all look out for each other and consider how our behaviour may impact upon others. Of course, common sense should still apply to everyone deciding where and when to visit somewhere, but there is no reason why women shouldn’t go birdwatching on their own, if they wish.
Reassuring women
Hiding away indoors is not the solution, and neither should we be so suspicious as to view every man as a potential attacker. Most men would be mortified to be considered in this light; they are simply out to watch birds, too.
However, maybe men should be encouraged to consider how women may feel about a random encounter. A cheery wave and a step back to leave plenty of space makes it clear that you have no intention to block the path. A simple hello and a move to the other end of a hide may be all it takes to reassure a woman that you are no threat to her safety.
Don’t block the hide door so she knows she can leave whenever she wants to and let her initiate the conversation in the hide if she wishes to, invading someone’s space isn’t solely physical. And why not be loud and proud to be a birdwatcher: a pair of binoculars in clear view makes it obvious why you may be standing so long in one spot on the path.
It is important not to underestimate the risks to women in today’s society and not to belittle anyone’s experiences of intimidation or worse. These things should be taken seriously. Equally, we mustn’t lose our sense of perspective.
Humans, and I like to think birdwatchers in particular, are generally good people who appreciate their surroundings and like to share their special wildlife moments.
Showing respect and allowing space are such simple steps we could be teaching the next generation of birdwatchers, regardless of gender. We can and should be moving towards a world where all we see is a fellow birdwatcher. I am a human, I am a birdwatcher, end of story.
Well, almost the end. Did I ring that mobile number to pass on the news of my Waxwing sighting? Of course I did, after such a considerate and non-threatening approach. And the rest of my birdwatching adventures together with Alan Davies are, as they say, history.
● What are your experiences of being a female birdwatcher? Or what tips can you add to Ruth’s list to help other birders feel safe? Please email all your thoughts and suggestions to: birdwatching@ bauermedia.co.uk