🌲 Women in the Wild: Birds, Bonding, and the Beauty of Kings Gap

👣 A Morning of Connection and Discovery

On Saturday, September 20, four women gathered at Kings Gap Environmental Education Center for a guided bird walk as part of the Women in the Wild series. Hosted by Friends of Kings Gap, this empowering event invited participants to explore nature, build community, and deepen their connection to the outdoors.

The walk took place around the education center, where the forest echoed with birdsong and camaraderie.

🐦 What We Spotted

Over the course of 1 hour and 35 minutes, covering just under half a mile, the group observed 22 species and 110 individuals. Highlights included:

• 🕊️ Mourning Dove – 2 quietly perched

• 🔥 Ruby-throated Hummingbird – 1 zipping through the understory

• 🦅 Merlin – 1 sharp-winged silhouette overhead

• 🐦 Red-breasted Nuthatch – 7 chattering in the pines

• 🎶 Eastern Towhee – 1 calling from the brush

• 🌲 Pine Warbler – 5 flitting through the canopy

• 💛 American Goldfinch – 8 bright flashes among the foliage

• 🎩 Northern Cardinal – 2 adding a splash of red

• 🎭 Gray Catbird – 1 mewing from the thickets

• 💫 Cedar Waxwing – 13 in elegant formation

📋 View the full checklist on eBird

🌿 Why It Matters

Women in the Wild is more than a walk—it’s a celebration of nature, resilience, and shared experience. These events create space for women to explore the outdoors in a supportive, inclusive environment while contributing to citizen science and conservation.

Whether you're a seasoned birder or just beginning your journey, Kings Gap offers a welcoming place to learn, connect, and recharge.

📅 Upcoming Events

Want to join the next adventure? Visit the Friends of King's Gap Events Page to see what’s coming up—from hikes and workshops to seasonal walks and stewardship opportunities.