Wait, is birding about seeing the same couple of species 99% of the time? Always has been
I love red-winged blackbirds, but I was hoping to see something else as well today (not Canada Geese and American Robins). I actually photographed an osprey fishing too, but damn, those birds are fast!
It started out as trying to photograph new species that I didn't find before (gotta catch 'em all).
After a while I accepted some are less common to see, and I shifted to trying to get better photos or different positions of familiar birds to improve my skills.
I think either approach works, whichever makes you happy with the hobby.
I am half-joking because I know if I go to a different area I will spot other birds. But also I went to a place where there are (in theory) roughly 75 bird species inhabiting the space this month, and it’s clear that the vast majority of animals you see there are from the same species. You need to be consistent, persistent, and diligent to spot something “rare”. But that’s the joy of it, so it's all good!