After our early morning visit to see the Spotted Crake at Farlington, Sam Hill & Ian Pitts joined me at Thorney Island for a fantastic couple our hours birding. We managed to see 2ad & 2imm Ospreys during our stay - one of the adults was observed eating a fish on a post near the landing lights. Whilst this was happening an immature Marsh Harrier circled over our heads giving wonderful views. We had a brilliant half an hour where the bushes seemed alive with birds, a beautiful male Redstart, in almost full summer plumage was the pick, but 4 Whinchats, ca. 6 Lesser Whitethroats, Whitethroat, 2  Wheatears, Willow Warbler, finches, Meadow Pipits and other small birds made for such a memorable birding moment, yet as so often happens, when we walked back 40 minutes later, there was no birds to be seen! Also of note was a Kingfisher in flight.