Now that I've read all these opinions, I am motivated to offer some
other, more mundane aspects of why not as many female hotshot birders.

A lot of (especially single (and yes older too) women like to go birding.
In my own case, and in the case of other women I know, I haven't had the
money to buy a lot of expensive equipment (someday I'd like a good
spotting scope). Unless you are a professional-type person (and
sometimes not even then), many women work at traditionally lower-paying
jobs that don't allow you to take off at a moment's notice. Not that I
wouldn't always like to do so. Yes, I was going to go see the Ross's
gull on the Saturday -- was in the car on the way when we decided to
check the bird reports on the Internet first and found out it was
GONE....)

But I went to Canada twice looking for the Rosy Finches with no luck, but
did get to see the White-Throated Sparrow. So, we do to chase after
birds. You guys don't have a monopoly on that.

There's a lot I'd like to do -- I'd like to take more of the classes
offered by SAS but they are expensive. I'd like to go birding in Costa
Rica (or Texas even), but haven't been able to do that either.
Someday....

Also, many women have primary care responsibilities for children which
really cuts into time off.

I've always been interested in nature -- all parts -- looking at flowers,
birds, and bugs. I love the outdoors and try to get out whenever I can.
Birding gives me the best of both worlds -- I learn something new every
time I go out and I get outside.

Anyway, these are some of the reasons I think more women aren't MORE into
birding.

Karen Juenemann at SMTGATE ZGI