International Swallows Depart From San Juan Capistrano Day

International Swallows Depart from San Juan Capistrano Day, observed each year on October 23, marks the remarkable annual migration of the cliff swallows from the historic Mission San Juan Capistrano in California to their wintering grounds in Argentina. Though this tradition is rooted in local lore, the day invites us to reflect on nature’s rhythms, migration, and the way human beings honour them.

History of International Swallows Depart from San Juan Capistrano Day

The story begins at the Mission San Juan Capistrano, where legend has it that a Franciscan padre offered shelter to a colony of cliff swallows after townspeople smashed their nests under the eaves of local buildings. Over time the Mission became famous as the nesting place for these birds each spring and summer.

Traditionally, the swallows depart around October 23, which aligns with the Feast Day of Saint John of Capistrano. This date became symbolically tied to their migration south to a winter home in Goya, Argentina, some 6,000 miles away. Over time, observers began celebrating this “departure day” as a way to recognise the natural wonder of the swallows’ flight and the continuity of the tradition.

Why is International Swallows Depart from San Juan Capistrano Day

This day gives us a chance to appreciate nature’s grand migrations, reminding us that not only human beings move with the seasons but wildlife too — on instincts and cycles far broader than our daily lives. Watching the swallows take to the air at the Mission is more than a spectacle: it’s a moment of transition, of change, of one chapter ending and another beginning. It prompts us to consider our own journeys, our connections to place, and what it means to move on.

At the same time, the day highlights the relationship between nature and community memory — how a small city in California embraced a bird migration as part of its identity, and how the presence or absence of these birds reflects broader ecological changes. It quietly invites reflection on habitat, human expansion, and how traditions can help us stay tuned into the rhythms of the natural world.

It’s a reminder that migration isn’t just for people — animals too have places they call “home” at different times of year
It invites us to stand at the threshold of change and observe with wonder rather than hurry past
It connects a local story — the Mission, the swallows — with a global journey, hundreds of miles long
It makes us mindful of how nature’s patterns become part of culture and history
It encourages listening and looking — noticing what leaves, what stays, and why it matters

How to Observe International Swallows Depart from San Juan Capistrano Day

Observing this day can be simple, reflective, and rooted in curiosity. One straightforward way is to visit the Mission San Juan Capistrano (if you’re nearby) or watch via recordings of the swallows’ departure — take a moment to pause, watch the birds circle, and think about what migration means. Even at home, you might track bird movements, notice what kind of birds are migrating, or simply step outside and imagine the journey these little birds are on.

Another way is to make the day about gratitude and continuity: note the changing season, share the story of the swallows with someone younger, or take a quiet walk and observe the sky, the trees, the air. The idea is less about spectacle and more about noticing connection — between place, bird, and story.

Step outside around sunrise or sunset and listen quietly — you might hear migrating birds or feel the hush of shifting season
Read or tell the story of the swallows at the Mission and share why the birds are important to that community
Watch a short nature video about bird migration and reflect on how far the swallows travel
Mark the day with a small ritual: turn your face to the sky, pause for a minute, and think about what “leaving” and “returning” feel like
If you’re in a community with nesting birds, consider leaving their area undisturbed or learning about how to protect habitats