Barn Swallows, National Park Biesbosch, Netherlands

Barn swallows arrive in spring in the Netherlands to breed, and leave by the start of the fall season. A dutch saying is based on these species "One swift does not make a summer", referring to the fact that once they circle the air in great numbers, it truly is summer.

They are extremely home steady. For example, for over 30 years now, they have dozens of nests on the roof of my parents' house. They keep returning to it every single year, like clockwork.