Two Swallows On A Wire Against The Blue Morning Sky. Stock Photography

Rural swallows arrive in Europe in mid-April, flying more than 10,000 km from their winter lodgings in South Africa. Their journey takes about four weeks, with the males usually arriving first. In May, most of the village swallows have already started breeding. The advent of swallows from ancient times is celebrated by humans as a sign that spring is coming. In early September, the rural swallows are ready for the autumn migration - they fly around, tirelessly catch insects and often gather on wires. Most birds fly south in September, along with the first smalls, but some remain in October.