Last year, I took up the hobby of birdwatching after my friend took me out to observe some birds out near the lake. Basically, birdwatching involves watching birds in their natural habitat. The best seasons to watch birds are in the spring and fall as they migrate from north to south in many areas. I usually go out with my binoculars and a guidebook in the morning because most birds are very active and feed at that time. You also have to know where to see them and how to recognise their bird calls. Because I'm new to birdwatching, I often have to look up specific varieties of birds in the guidebook. You have to look carefully at their feathers, the way they behave and move, and their size to recognize many birds because some look very similar. Besides looking at birds, I like the activity because it gives me a chance to exercise as I hike to different locations, and it allows me to relax my mind in the great outdoors.