Public Health & Other Relevant Topics

The annual return of cliff swallows to Mission San Juan Capistrano, traditionally celebrated on St. Joseph's Day (March 19), marks the birds' return from Argentina to nest. While urban development reduced their numbers in the 1990s, the birds still return to the area annually.  Migration Pattern: Swallows arrive in mid-March and depart around October 23 (Day of San Juan) for a 6,000-mile journey south. The Mission Connection: Legend says Father St. John O'Sullivan invited them to the Mission in the early 20th century after a shopkeeper destroyed their nests. Today's Return: Efforts to encourage their return, including using bird call recordings and installing artificial nesting, have resulted in some nesting in the Mission's East Corridor. Celebration: The city celebrates with the annual Swallows Day Parade and mercado.  The birds are known for building gourd-shaped mud nests under the eaves of the old stone church.  I saw them flying low along the ocean in San Juan...