Swallows on a Mission: San Juan Capistrano, California
The swallows of San Juan Capistrano made the Mission and the city world famous. The Capistrano birds are Cliff Swallows, which have probably been returning to the area for centuries. They transferred their nests to the eaves of the Mission when it was built near two rivers.
The Cliff Swallows of Capistrano - Audubon California
Mar 12, 2012 · It’s quite possible that California’s most famous spring migration tradition has to do with the swallows of Mission San Juan Capistrano. For years, the Cliff Swallows returned on or around March 19, St. Joseph’s day, to nest in the eaves of the old mission.
A Homecoming for the Legendary Swallows of Mission San …
Jul 7, 2016 · The displaced birds found refuge at the Mission San Juan Capistrano, where they built new nests in the eaves of the ancient stone church. Ever since, the birds have returned on March 19, St. Joseph’s Day, to raise their young within the safety of the mission walls; then, on October 23, San Juan’s Day, they leave for their wintering grounds ...
As the little birds wing their way back to the Mission, the town of San Juan Capistrano welcomes visitors from all parts of the world, to witness the return of the swallows. In his book, Capistrano Nights, Father St. John O’Sullivan, Pastor of Mission San Juan Capistrano (1910-1933) tells the story of how the swallows came to call the Mission home.
Do the swallows still come to San Juan Capistrano? - Birdful
Jan 18, 2024 · In the mid 20th century, the swallows reached their peak numbers, with estimates of up to 25,000 birds returning to nest at the Mission. However, over the following decades, the population declined sharply. By 1970, counts showed less than 5,000 swallows coming back.
San Juan Capistrano
As the little birds wing their way back to the most famous Mission in California, the village of San Juan Capistrano takes on a fiesta air and the visitors from all parts of the world, and all walks of life, gather in great numbers to witness the "miracle" of the return of the swallows.
San Juan Capistrano Swallows | SanJuanCapistrano.com
Nov 4, 2019 · The next day Father O’Sullivan discovered that the birds become busy building their nests out the Father Junípero Serra’s Church. Over the years, the birds nested in the Mission. But when urbanization happened, the largest building in …
St. Joseph’s Day and Return of the Swallows Celebration
The American public, and even the world at large, has come to associate the Mission San Juan Capistrano landmark as the home of these famed birds. When the Mission portrays the literal swallows, we use the photographic, authentic and real life image.
Tradition & Nature Intertwine: Swallows' Return to Capistrano
Mar 19, 2024 · The swallows use the old Mission San Juan Capistrano as their nesting place, where they build their mud nests under the eaves and archways of the historic buildings. Why are these birds celebrated? The tradition dates back to the 1920s when Father St. John O’Sullivan, the pastor of the Mission, noticed the shopkeeper in town knocking down the ...
Famous Mission San Juan Capistrano swallows slowly coming back
Jun 19, 2017 · Mission San Juan Capistrano is known around the world for the swallows, but over the past few decades the population dwindled. Now, people are seeing the birds make a comeback.