The annual return of the (Cliff) Swallows to Mission San Juan Capistrano is one of the great traditions of spring migration in California. While the birds traditionally return on St. Joseph's Day (March 19), the city is holding its celebration and parade today. As our earlier post said, the birds don't return to the mission like they used to, but the birds are plentiful around the area, and a terrific announcement of spring throughout California.

[<a href="http://storify.com/audubonca/the-swallows-of-capistrano" target="_blank">View the story "The Swallows of Capistrano" on Storify</a>]