precisely. if you want to do street photography, a whole bunch of guys carrying DSLRs would make people run than stay and let you shoot. going in pairs is fine but 5, 6 guys doing street would scare people away. the key is being inconspicuous so as not to disturb the environment and cause it to change.
unless you're going for the "shocked" looks on your subjects... *GOTCHA!*
Agreed, going out in groups will scare all the people, insects (macro photography), birds (moving colorful things).
And it limits the space for shooting sunrise or sunset, posing a danger since everyone is either heavy or heavier standing on the old planks.
Maybe you can post it on the outing thread stating a time and date, it might attract like minded comrades to shoot with you.