The target for the day was of course Rock Partridge, and with this in mind, set off after breakfast to Saint-Cristophe-en-Oisans where they are supposedly present. We weren't particularly early and drove slowly to admire the scenery, so by the time we arrived it was mid-morning and already fairly hot. We hiked for about three hours, but it was hard work in the heat and there was no sign of any Partridges. Indeed, there were very few species seen at all, and I was particularly surprised to see no raptors. Species we did see were Crag Martin, Grey Wagtail, Great Tit, and a scraggy immature male Rock Thrush. We also had good views of a couple of Alpine Marmots and a brief view of a lizard.
Giving up, we had some lunch in the village before driving to the end of the road at La Berade. Whilst Michelle sat having a drink and a look around, I found another trail which looked promising. Birds of prey were more evident here and included Golden Eagle, Sparrowhawk, and Kestrel. A singing Melodious Warbler was an unexcpected find, and Alpine Choughs were good to see (several flocks which may been the same birds coming and going, but at least sixty birds.) A Goldenfinch was also seen, but the highlight (which I initially thought to be a Lesser Whitethroat!) was a nesting Western Orphean Warbler.
After meeting up with Michelle and visiting the village of Venosc (Crag Martins were nesting in the houses), I tried at dusk at Cristophe for the Partridge, this time trying a different trail. However little was seen (a Green Woodpecker was heard) and I eventually gave up to drive to Le Bourg d’Oisans for dinner. A Blackbird was seen en-route, and Mallards were heard whilst we ate.
Back at the chalet I went through the butterflies I'd seen that day and came up with the following:
(Southern?) Swallowtail
Apollo
(Eastern?) Bath White
Brimstone/Cleopatra
Red Admiral
Painted Lady
Cardinal
Marbled White
Plain Tiger - out of range but couldn't see what else it could be?
