one swallow does not make a summer

but one made my day today

mon 15 April 2013                 mid section

sunny and mild  mod south westerly

I changed my route slightly to make sure I had all bases covered,  having checked out the western border of Barleyfield ( 2 chiffchaff both singing & a singing blackcap + other odds and ends ) I then headed off towards Compton Lock via Compton Rough and back to Barleyfield via the railway walk. I always pause half way up the steep path to the SW cnr of Barleyfield,a good area for goldcrest,chiffchaff,willow warbler,blackcap and other stuff,I caught a brief glimpse of a flicking streamlined bird quickly rise above the trees and just as quickly disappear again. Out onto Barleyfield for just a few minutes and there's the same or maybe another swallow hawking for insects over the top western border,there's another or are all three sightings the same bird? probably, as no more encountered. other highlights buzzard                                       1 over Tettenhall Ridge, sparrowhawk                              1 female over Compton Hill Dr  & another female over Rangers Station, stock dove                                  2 on Barleyfield, great spotted woodpecker         2  flew to old oak tree at top of Barleyfield Annex, blackcap                                     1 singing Graisley Culvert, chiffchaff                                    4 singing ( Station Paddock, Graisley Culvert,Barleyfield Annex & Barleyfield eastern border, Willow Warbler                          1 singing Station Paddock and 2 feeding Wetland SW cnr, Willow/Chiff                               1 seen v/briefly near Meccano Br. looked large and green so prob willow warbler,but no plumage features seen.