Alpe D'Huez

Arrived in Grenoble around midday after our short flight from Stanstead and collected hire car. On leaving the airport, the first bird was noted: A Black Redstart, one of many that would be seen over the next few days. The drive to Alpe D'Huez was uneventful, with only a Black Kite being noted on the way.

After a late lunch at Le Bourg d’Oisans at the bottom of the mountain we drove half way up to our chalet at Ribot. Around our chalet, Damon Blue butterflies could be seen, as well as the first of several Ravens. We then continued to the top (the village of Alpe D'Huez) where bird life seemed virtually nonexistent. I did manage House Sparrow (Italian looking; white cheeks and brightly coloured, but with just a small amount of grey on the cap), House Martin, Swallow, White Wagtail, Swift, Blackbird, Collard Dove, Woodpigeon, and Chaffinch, as well as a Hummingbird Hawkmoth (the first of several) that fed in the flowers by our table as we ate our evening meal.