The Great Backyard Bird Count is back at Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk beginning today.  

The annual community science initiative invites families to help scientists make observations about birds so that they can better understand global populations and migration patterns.

To celebrate the count, there will be a number of activities taking place throughout the weekend, including making a bird feeder out of an ice cream cone, a bird-themed scavenger hunt throughout the aquarium, and games to test your knowledge.

The aquarium's seal-spotting and birding cruises kick off this weekend and will run through April.

Reservations are strongly recommended for the two-hour cruises.

Dates and departure times vary by low tide.

The Great Backyard Bird Count begins runs through Monday.