WHO: Globe writer James H. Burnett III, his wife, and toddler son
WHERE: Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary
WHAT: Bird-watching, interacting with animals, hiking nature trails, and sampling farm work.
You don’t have to look far in Greater Boston to find an animal to watch or pet. Between the pound, the zoo, and your neighbors’ backyards, there’s plenty of four-legged fodder. But if you want an educational experience with your animal ogling, there may be no better place in New England than Drumlin Farm in Lincoln, the headquarters of the Massachusetts Audubon Society.
Drumlin has 3 miles of forest trails surrounding the farm, where you should be able to spot everything from eastern bluebirds to tree swallows, black-capped chickadees, and bobolink. And on a clear day, from the trails’ drumlin — or highest point — you can see Mount Modadnock and Mount Wachusett.
In addition to the woodland bird-watching you’d expect on an Audubon property, Drumlin Farm has a pretty impressive sanctuary of rescued wild birds, including hawks, owls, and ravens the size of small dogs.
On the farming side of things, parents and kids of all ages can view and pet sheep, goats, chickens, pigs, cows, and even a pony in the animals’ “natural” environments — barns and barnyards.
And there’s a bonus. If yours is a kid who thinks having animals only involves cute little furries cavorting around picturesque bales of hay, bring him to Drumlin Farm midafternoon, when the farmers are doing their chores, including feeding and grooming the animals, and cleaning out their poopy pens. The good-natured farmhands also answer questions about their work.
“It’s a great way to teach kids about the responsibilities of caring for animals — letting them see that care in action,” says Mia Khefetz, a Drumlin Farm manager.
For the family with green thumbs, there’s plenty to do as well. In the learning garden, kids — because parents probably wouldn’t want to do this — can climb inside a shelter of beans that have grown so tightly together they resemble a pup tent. Everyone can sample the wares in the garden, like plucking and chomping fresh mint leaves.
Wind down with a hayride that takes you on scenic dirt roads that run parallel to some of the farm’s hiking trails.
Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary, 208 South Great Road, Lincoln. 781-259-2200. www.massaudubon.org/drumlinfarm. Admission free for Audubon Society members, $7 for non-member adults, $5 for non-member children ages 2-12 and senior citizens.
Try BostonGlobe.com today and get two weeks FREE.James H. Burnett III can be reached at james.burnett@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @JamesBurnett.