Connecticut Audubon Bird Sanctuary, Burr Street, Fairfield, Connecticut.
Ages and Grades: 7 (rising 2nd grade) and 4 (Pre-K)
My neighbor and friend invited us to go visit the birds in the rescue center and to take a hike through the wooded trails.
The white plants are monotropia unifora, the rarely seen Ghost Pipe or Indian Pipe. They only grow in certain conditions and they fade fairly quickly and turn to mush. They are very delicate and so low to the ground that they are difficult to photograph.
Peregrine Falcon
Barred Owl "Who cooks for you?"
I saw one in the wild for the first time in 2011 and it was an amazing experience.
Red Tailed Hawk
The birds are amazing to see up close. There were many feathers on the ground, especially hawk feathers. My friend asked if she could take one home and the reply from staff was that it is against federal law to own bird feathers and that the center must catalogue every fallen feather and sent a report to the government to account for it. I can't recall if they have to mail the feather in or not, maybe they promise to destroy it. Anyhow my point is that day I learned a lesson about well-intentioned laws (not allowing wild bird feathers to be used to make hats or clothing to protect the birds) getting out of hand.
It was a fun day. Seeing live birds and animals with young children is a fun experience. They get so excited and happy to watch the mannerism and actions of the birds. It is inspiring to see kids get so happy over something so simple.
The Connecticut Forest at the Audubon Center
As for the hike my kids always love them and especially when they could run around in the woods with a friend.