Melissa Mayntz has seen hundreds of bird species, witnessed astonishing seasonal migrations, and attracted dozens of species to her yard. She began enjoying birds as a child, and brings more than 35 years of birding experience to her readers not only in books, but also through writing for magazines, blogs, newspapers, and newsletters. She showcases her own birding style and individual birding journey on BeYourOwnBirder.com. Melissa enjoys common species just as much as rare birds, delights in everyday sightings alongside unusual twitches, and has fun visiting captive birds at local zoos and aviaries, while supporting the important conservation work of those organizations. She currently lives in Florida and is transforming her suburban yard into a wildlife-friendly habitat, and is studying to become a certified Florida Master Naturalist and Land Steward.
