I expect that they are worried (at least officially) about a terrorist 
shooting down one of the planes on takeoff or landing.  In that context 
a stock-mounted scope is worrisome.  One birder in Delaware who drove a 
van with a barrel on the edge of the roof to carry his scope and tripod 
was stopped there also.  As far as I know he was the first.  I can see 
why that car worried them. 

Thomas H Beal wrote:

>Don't try legally parking on a side road and walking along Rt 9 at the  south 
>end of Dover AFB to look for upland sandpipers.  This is the only  place I 
>have seen them and was trying to add to my 'big day' list last  spring.  There 
>are new no parking signs and fences, but I was legally  parked and walking 
>along the shoulder of the road when Air Force security came  up with lights 
>flashing.  They asked me what I was doing and after I  explained it to them they 
>asked me to leave anyway.  I was ready to stand  up for my rights, but they 
>simply gave me two options, get in their car for a  ride a) back to my car or b) to 
>base security to 'sort things out.' Well, I  backed down, BUT when we got 
>back to my car they saw my stock mounted scope on  the back seat and freaked out. 
> I had to assume the position while they  searched my car and called for a 
>supervisor.  After the captain looked over  my stuff, I told him to either let 
>me go or lock me up. He gave me my wallet and  keys (and pen knife) back and 
>asked me to 'please' leave the area.   Still would like to know the legal status 
>of walking along the highway. They  followed me to Ted Harvey, don't know how 
>long they waited. I assume I am on  some terrorist list now.
> 
> 
> 
>Tom  Beal
>Glenn Dale, MD
>
>
>  
>


-- 
Maurice Barnhill 
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Department of Physics and Astronomy
University of Delaware
Newark, DE 19716