Grand theft auto.

I was making a cup of tea on Sunday morning when I heard my phone ringing upstairs but by the time I got to it it had rung off, the call was from Mr.Bell, I tried ringing him back but it was engaged. Although I was still hung over from the previous night at the Merlin (Marks fault) I guessed the call was bird related so had a quick look at Birdguides and saw a Ross's Gull had been found at Aberavon beach. By this time Martin had phoned me back and said to get ready asap as he was on his way and within half an hour or so we were on our way to Aberavon. Arriving at the seafront we could see Phil's (grey/blue three door 62 plate Renault Clio!) and parked opposite. We kitted up as quick as we could and made our way to the beach where we could see other birders huddled together out of the wind against the sea wall. We stood next to Phil and Martin who told us the gull had been on the beach only two minutes before our arrival but had flown off, blind panic for me as this was a lifer but thanks to the eagle eyes of others ten minutes later I was enjoying good views of the bird along with at least three Little Gulls. We continued to watch the gull for a while as it fed and finally lost it as it landed near the river mouth, a cracking bird and great to meet up with a few birders I hadn't seen for a while. We said our goodbyes and made our way back to the cars where I witnessed Mr.Hill try and get into a (five door grey Renault Clio with a private number plate) myself and Mr Bell had noticed this wasn't Phil's car but Phil and Mr.Bevan hadn't much to our amusement, after a few minutes Phil realised his mistake and sheepishly head bowed in shame made his way to his own car. After the disappointment of the Wales game this was just the tonic I needed, two lifers in a week long may it continue, a great find by Mark Hipkin and a big thank you to Martin for the phone call.