Myrna Hayes, the founder, director and President of the Mare Island Heritage Group, has been busy lately. The 27th annual Flyway Festival begins on Friday, and she has no doubt what the highlight will be.

"Sunday at 4 p.m.," Hayes said, with a laugh. "When it's all done and I can rest."

Hayes is just joking but admits a lot is being done to put together the 27th version of the event, which will be done in person as well as virtually with streaming events. Hayes has long been passionate about the wilderness, which she often refers to as "the wild near us."

The Flyway Festival, hosted by Sierra Club Redwood Chapter, is a three-day annual celebration of the migration through San Francisco Bay and the north shore of more than 1 million shorebirds and hundreds of thousands of ducks, geese, hawks and other wildlife at the peak of migration. There are numerous events that include bird-watching field trips and educational programs.

"It's so important for us to wake up the next generation to this," Hayes said. "Look, we're not telling people to leave your computer and phone for good, in fact, bring your phone! This is a great event with so many people that aren't getting paid giving their time for us because it's their absolute passion ... For one measly week, one hour can basically turn your life around."

The weather is supposed to be warm for each of the three days in Vallejo, but Hayes actually hopes the weather will cool off a little bit.

"I mean, the good thing is that we're back to doing this event in person, although with the combo hybrid option," Hayes said. "We're getting people out and up and close to the action. But when it's this warm it can sometimes be a little more difficult to find birds. A little rain would be nice because that would bring out the birds a little more."

The events begin Friday morning at 8 a.m. on Mare Island with a self-guided hiking and biking tour that meets at 167 O'Hara Court at the southern end of Azuar Drive on Mare Island. Other events on Friday include a San Pablo Walking Trail Self-Guided Walk Hosted by Western Solutions. That also begins at 8 a.m. and repeats Saturday and Sunday.

Also on Friday is an outing hosted by Mare Island Preserve Photographer Bill George on how to photograph wildlife.

At 10 a.m. on Friday is a guided bird-watching walk in Mare Island hosted by Robin Leoung.

A festival opening reception will be held Friday afternoon from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Wildlife Expo VIrtual Headquarters, Building 126, Suite 213.

For a full detailed list of all the events Friday through Sunday, visit http://www.sfbayflywayfestival.com/San_Francisco_Bay_Flyway_Festival_2022/Flyway_Festival_2022_Homepage.html.

Hayes thinks the Napa/Solano birding event for kids is important, but can't pick just one as her favorite.

"Each one of these events is the labor of love for at least one or two enthusiasts," Hayes said. "I had someone tell me they grew up wishing they could be a tour guide for something at the Flyway Festival and here they are now. Some hosts get as much as 90 people on their tour, but sometimes the tour guides really love when there is also just five or six people because then they can give even more detailed information."