Posted on 10/23/2023 11:47:41 AM PDT by Red Badger
SWALLOWS DEPART FROM SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO DAY
On October 23rd, the Swallows Depart from San Juan Capistrano Day marks the migration of thousands of swallows.
#SwallowsDepartFromSanJuanCapistranoDay
The famous cliff swallows of San Juan Capistrano leave town every year in a swirling mass near the Day of San Juan (October 23). They head for their winter vacation spot 6,000 miles south in Goya, Corrientes, Argentina. Each year, they return on or about March 19th - St. Joseph Day. Their migration has been marked for generations.
Cliff swallows are cousins of barn swallows and purple martins.
Swallows have long, narrow wings, forked tails, and weak, tiny feet. Incredibly graceful in flight, they feed on the wing, catching insects in their wide mouths; they can effortlessly make abrupt changes in direction or speed as they feed.
The cliff swallow has a rusty rump, and when seen from below, it appears to have a squared-off tail and a dark patch on the throat.
HOW TO OBSERVE SWALLOWS DEPART FROM SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO DAY
Learn more about cliff swallows and their family members. Sketch or photograph them. Watch videos of them in flight. Study their habitat and follow their migration path. Listen to a recording of their song. Use #SwallowsDepartFromSanJuanCapistranoDay to post on social media.
SWALLOWS DEPART FROM SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO DAY HISTORY
National Day Calendar® continues researching the origins of this migration day.
I’ve been there twice: very nice attraction.
Sure they can…..check out Winged Migration .
with something in her mouth
It’s probably not always the same day, or even all the birds at once. But something about the light and other clues that we don’t even recognize, tells them when it’s time. Migration is deep in the instincts and cultures of bird populations. It may have happened frequently on the same day, and that led to the coming and going legends.
No matter the weather, temperature, etc. here, our Summer hummingbirds leave pretty much at the same time every year. (They aren’t quite as exact about showing up in the Spring.)
I was wondering how long it would take for someone to point that out! Good job!
Re: 26 - When I had more time, I used to monitor Barn Swallow nests at some bridges. I miss doing it.
In that area, Cliff Swallows have been largely displaced by Barn Swallows who will break off the ends of the Cliffy’s nests so that it is more open and conducive to nesting. Between Barn Swallows and House Sparrows, there’s few Cliffys in that area.
But further south where I work, Cliff Swallows are making a comeback. I have seen House Sparrows displace active Cliff Swallow nests pre-egg laying, and the Cliff Swallows will aggressively work to ruin the House Sparrow nests and eventually drive them off.
BTW that is clearly a male - very dark chin and long forked tail. Amazing bird that has a mass of ~18-22g and will migrate ~10,000-12,000 miles round trip Amazonia <=> US!
You might want to watch it ..you may actually learn something .
…….
Learn nothing that I don't already know.....
What's your point? Is this one of those pissing contests that you want so desperately to win?.
OK, you win!.....Sheesh!
The fact that you can’t recognize humor is becoming a common trait around here...
So they’re African Swallows?
You know so much about these beautiful birds!
I hate House Sparrows; I don’t do anything to them (like some I’ve heard of), but sometimes I wish I could. They have really gotten out of control.
I don’t know much about Barn or Cliff Swallows, other than I got to see my very first Barn Swallows in person this summer in Oregon. A couple had made a nest in the the eaves at the ranch house where we stayed late June through early July. They had nestlings when we arrived, and we got to watch one of the babies fledge. Very much fun. Wish we could’ve stayed to watch the others fledge.
Beautiful landscapes out in those parts of the country. I couldn’t live there year round, but it’s a gorgeous place to visit. Hope to go back someday. It was very special.
Great movie!
Grackles are flocking to Walmart parking lots in Texas. Reminds me of the movie “The Birds.” Lol
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