Spreeuwen Sturnus vulgaris en Boerenzwaluw Hirunda rustica, en koeien in de wei

On 8 August 2007, during cold and rainy weather, a flock of 46 Bam Swallows and 2 Sand Martins was observed hunting in close proximity of a flock op 56 Starlings foraging in grassland. Apparently the Swallows profited from the activities of the foraging Starlings, notably from insects that were disturbed. This observation is illustrative of present-day farming: till the recent past, Swallows could be observed foraging in close association with cows, but nowadays very few cows are allowed to graze in meadows. Startings as an alternative for cows, or industrial farming in a nutshell.