Ladybirders As in most walks of life the sexes are different, despite attempts to force equality on us. I'm all for equality, it's essential in the job market. But whatever the law says, lady birders are viewed differently in many countries, although the situation has improved considerably over the years. At one time birders, or collectors as they were then, were almost exclusively male, but seemingly the few females involved were accepted readily, indeed, early conservation bodies were instigated by ladies. Quite right, given that they arose to prevent the slaughter of birds to provide feathers for millinery. Different countries had/have different attitudes, when I began birding a lady birder was a rare thing in the UK, but they have always been in a majority in the USA, due to a perceived lack of "macho" in the pastime. (Obviously most are not aware of some of the dangerous situations that extreme listing can lead to, but that's another issue). Thankfully thin