27th - Rain was forecast for today. It was overcast and warm as I travelled down to La Chassagne. I sat beneath at least 400 Swifts as they put on a fantastic display of aerobatics. My attention was distracted however by a calling Cuckoo which perched on a fence-post and gave excellent views. Not to be outdone it was soon joined by a first summer Great-spotted Cuckoo that looked to have suffered during the previous evening's downpour, such was the state of its plumage. As a female Marsh Harrier then flew over it put to flight 3 Stone-Curlews that gave vent to their eerie alarm call. My next stop was at Mas d'Agon where I spotted 3 Glossy Ibis landing just out of view plus a Purple Heron in flight. Travelling down towards Mas Neuf I stopped just short of the road junction and noted a recent influx of at least 4 Great Reed Warblers all singing from the reedbed. I managed to see 3 of the 4 birds well. I then noticed a bird in flight which I assumed was another GRW but when I got a decent view of it the plumage was much too dark and it looked more like an outsized Savi's Warbler. I had only seen Clamorous Reed Warbler once before and that was in India nearly 3 years ago but this bird would be a good contender for another. Unfortunately I couldn't get another look at it, so it remains only a possible! I also heard at least 2 Savi's Warblers singing from this reedbed. A further stop by Vaccares produced nothing of note except a pair of Black Terns but as I took the Tour du Valat road a pair of Honey Buzzards gave great views overhead. In the evening I took a trip along the Gimeaux road and just before the heavens opened I managed to spot at least 9 Collared Pratincoles balanced precariously on a mud bank separating 2 lagoons, as the wind tried its utmost to dislodge them.