25th - Today we combined the flat desolate wastelands of the Crau with the more verdant slopes of the Alpilles. An early start at the Piste du Vallon resulted in a wonderful, close up view of a Stone-Curlew and 10 fly-over Little Bustards. The unmistakeable song of at least 3 Nightingales accompanied us as we walked further in and we soon spotted a singing Corn Bunting - one of a flock of around 50 birds. We managed to find a number of male Little Bustards on the ground looking resplendent in their black neck feathers. Black Kites were constantly gliding overhead and we had a couple of Stock Doves flying quickly past. Next stop was the Plaine de Crau and immediately we spotted a Northern Wheatear and one of several Tawny Pipits. The number of Calandra Larks had not diminished since my last visit and they delighted us with their song displays. The area was full of Skylarks and Crested Larks and a Marsh Harrier hunted overhead. We located another 4 Little Bustards and a couple of Stone-Curlews before Steve picked out what looked like a tentative female Red-footed Falcon. Unfortunately it was some way off and couldn't be relocated when we got closer. We were then treated to a very odd looking, presumed female, Cuckoo with a bright rufous head, barred greenish back and barred white breast ! This was immediately followed by two 1st summer Great Spotted Cuckoos and a juvenile Short-toed Eagle that had caught some prey on the ground. As we left the area 3 Hoopoes, another Northern Wheatear and a female Montagu's Harrier added the icing on the cake of a productive visit. A brief stop at Entressen rubbish tip produced only a couple of White Storks and around 50 Black Kites. Final stop for the morning was at the airfield at Eyguieres which was a little disappointing although it did produce another Stone-Curlew and at least 2 Little Bustards, plus a Red-legged Partridge. Our first stop in the Alpilles was at La Caume where we spotted a possible Peregrine, Alpine Swift and Sparrowhawk. Unfortunately it was a little too windy for any other raptors and the forest was quiet. A stop at Mas de l'Ange produced another 3 Alpine Swifts, Blue Rock Thrush, Serin, Jay, Crested and Long-tailed Tits plus a number of finches that were heard only. We then moved to Les Baux which was emptying of tourists where Steve spotted both Crag Martins and more Alpine Swifts. The final stop of the day was at Le Destet for the famed Eagle Owl but unfortunately it was reluctant to show itself and we had to make do with another Sparrowhawk and several Serins and Goldfinches.