Using Artificial Nests, Biologists Hope to Lure Swallows Back to Mission San Juan Capistrano

By Vikki Vargas and Asher Klein

Updated at 6:04 PM PDT on Thursday, Mar 19, 2015

The legendary swallows are said to return to San Juan Capistrano on St. Joseph's Day, March 19, but these day's it's the tourists who return to the city's mission by the thousands, not the birds.

Biologists are trying to lure back the swallows that made Mission San Juan Capistrano famous by returning to the Orange County building on schedule each year for centuries. They're heading to stage two of a long-term plan to end the mission's bird-less streak.

Having already mimicked bird calls to attract swallows, biologists are creating a 15-foot-tall, moveable arch with artificial nests built in in hopes of reminding them it's a good place to settle.

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