10th - An early start at the Etang des Aulnes and a brief exploration of the Crau around Vergieres today. On the journey down I spotted a single Stone-curlew in a field alongside the D26 close to Les Bastidettes - the first of this species seen here. The Etang was calm with no wind whatsoever. The trees resounded with Melodious Warbler song and Blackcap, Nightingale, Blue Tit and Melodious Warbler were all seen. A pair of Stonechats were spotted on the heath. On the lake there was nothing but a pair of Common Terns fishing but a fly-over female Red-crested Pochard was a nice surprise. The reedbed held at least 3 singing Great Reed Warblers, one of which was spotted, plus Reed Warbler and a single Grasshopper Warbler that was heard only. The nesting Golden Orioles were heard calling and then the male spotted in flight along with a Purple Heron. I moved onto the Crau and had a far view of a Southern Grey Shrike plus several Tawny Pipits close up. As I drove along the track a raptor took off from the ground and flew low over a considerable distance. First impressions were of a large falcon, possibly a Saker, but I could not refind the bird so it remains a possible only. At least 10 Black Kites were feeding in the area plus a couple of Kestrels and a single Lesser Kestrel. I walked along the stream and disturbed a pair of Red-legged Partridges, several Yellow Wagtails, 5 Tawny Pipits, a Calandra Lark and 8 Crested Larks. Back at the Peau de Meau car park I spotted a fly-over Turtle Dove then a walk along the stream produced a pair of Rollers, single Bee-eater, Corn Bunting and Savi's Warbler.