Streak Throated Swallows roosting

[Paramvir Singh]

While driving from Ranthambhore towards Jaipur, I noticed this beautiful roosting of what looks like Streak Throated Swallows (Petrochelidon fluvicola) in a nearby farm.
In the left hand side of the image is a small canal/stream with a bridge. The Swallows have built many many mud nests under the bridge.

I have never seen Swallows roosting on the ground like this, and in such healthy numbers (to our modern eyes, I am sure the numbers were larger only 15 years ago).

Since the farm was fenced with dried thorn scrubs, I couldn't get a closer shot. My Nikon 80-400 maxed out to give me this image.
(Going closer would also have been difficult considering how shy these birds are).