To make the artificial nests as alluring and prominent as possible, workers at Mission San Juan Capistrano in California mounted the man-made structures under the arch of a temporary wall. The town of San Juan Capistrano welcomes visitors from all parts of the world to witness the return of the swallows, a tradition that has been celebrated since the early 1930s. The swallows that traditionally return to the city are cliff swallows, which have flat tails, but much of the swallows imagery in San Juan Capistrano show fork tails, which belong to the barn swallow. Come to San Juan Capistrano and celebrate St. Joseph’s Day and Return of the Swallows Celebration on March 19th! Mission San Juan Capistrano, world famous for its annual return of swallows every year, has suffered a gradual decline in the birds nesting on-site over the years due to urbanization. Join us for St. Joseph’s Day and Return of the Swallows Celebration annually on March 19th The Legend of the Cliff Swallows of Capistrano One … It’s quite possible that California’s most famous spring migration tradition has to do with the swallows of Mission San Juan Capistrano. Cliff swallows are famous for their legendary return to Mission San Juan Capistrano in California on 19 March each year, and at one time hundreds of nests could be found on the Mission buildings. They transferred their nests to the eaves of the Mission when it was built near two rivers. The bell wall at Mission San Juan Capistrano, a famous site to which cliff swallows annually return — historically but not recently. St. Joseph’s Day and the Return of the Swallows Celebration is a world-renowned tradition celebrating the annual return of the famous swallows to Capistrano. Photo courtesy of Mission San Juan Capistrano. A long-distance migrant, wintering in southern South America. St. Joseph’s Day and the Return of the Swallows Celebration is a world-renowned tradition celebrating the annual return of the famous swallows to Capistrano. Swallows migrate 6,000 miles from Goya, Argentina to San Juan Capistrano in large groups. The famous cliff swallows of San Juan Capistrano that leave town every year in a swirling mass near the Day of San Juan (October 23), are returning from their winter vacation spot 6,000 miles south in Goya, Corrientes, Argentina. Swallows Welcome Home! The tradition has been celebrated since 1930. Watch the ABC Video of the Return of the Swallows! Migrates in flocks, traveling by day. The swallows that traditionally return to the city are cliff swallows, which have flat tails, but much of the swallows imagery in San Juan Capistrano show fork tails, which belong to the barn swallow. Mission, the town of San Juan Capistrano welcomes visitors from all parts of the world, to witness the return of the swallows. Centuries ago the San Juan Capistrano Mission padres noticed that the swallows returned consistently on St. Joseph’s Day. Some cliff swallow colonies number more than 3,500 nests. Migration. Mission San Juan Capistrano celebrates The miracle of the “Swallows” of Capistrano which takes place each year on March 19th. This is the famous swallow that returns to the mission in San Juan Capistrano, California, every spring; traditionally the return is celebrated on March 19th, although the birds actually return to the general area in late February. The Capistrano birds are Cliff Swallows, which have probably been returning to the area for centuries. Please join for St. Joseph’s Day and Return of the Swallows Celebration!