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.

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?

The thought of Christophe at dawn didn't appeal (I'd slogged around for several hours the day before), so we decided we'd drive to Briancon and the Queyras National Park. We did so in torrential rain and heavy thunderstorms (the first rain in the area for some considerable time!) Driving on the mountain roads was therefore slow and we didn't arrive at Briancon until late morning. However, as soon as we did, the rain stopped and the sun shone for the whole afternoon.

After looking around Briancon (more nesting Crag Martins) we drove slowly through the park to L’Echalp near the Italian border. A lunch stop at Vieille produced a Short-toed Eagle and a pair of Honey Buzzards. A Red-backed Shrike was seen soon after whilst driving. L’Echalp looked promising for Partridge, but none were seen. New birds for the trip included Peregrine (immature), a Yellowhammer pair, a Bonelli’s Warbler and Whinchat (both found by Michelle), and Serin. Several Common Crows were also noted and it was interesting to note that they were corone (we were apparently right on the zone of overlap were they change to Hooded.) Several Chamois were seen distantly as well as closer Fox hunting on the mountain slope. I hoped it would flush out a Partridge, but of course it didn't.

The highlight however was found whilst walking back to a car: A Nutcracker. It frustratingly called out of site at the top of conifers for several minutes before eventually showing itself in flight.

Decided to try once more at dawn at Christophe, leaving Michelle in bed. En-route I flushed a Nightjar, and at dawn had a Marsh Tit and a Jay, as well as close views of a family of Chamois. However, the only additions in a two hour search (hampered by patchy hill fog) were of a Chiffchaff, a Blue Tit, and a Garden Warbler.

At Grenoble airport I noticed a male Hen Harrier hunting in the short grass. Finally a flock of about fifty Jackdaws flushed by the plane taking off proved to be the last new species for the trip.

Back home in a sunny UK(!) a Holy Blue was in the garden as well as several Painted Ladies.