(Image: DARLINGTON BIRD RESCUE)
A driver travelling from Newton Aycliffe to Darlington got more than they bargained for when they found a seagull wedged in the front grill of their car.
The discovery was made after the driver received a message about the seagull and returned to their car to find the bird stuck to the front of the vehicle
After realising they must have hit it on the A1(M) on the way to Darlington, they got in touch with Darlington Bird Rescue, who came to its aid.
The seagull struck in the front of the car
(Image: DARLINGTON BIRD RESCUE)
Despite travelling on the front of the car for several miles, the rescue clinic said the bird's injuries were minimal, but it will need some rest and painkillers over the coming days.
In a post on social media, Darlington Bird Rescue said: "Well, this was an unexpected call, especially on a day when we are closed, but we couldn't not help.
"This poor guy was hit today at high speed on the motorway as a driver came to the [railway] station in Darlington from Aycliffe.
"He didn't realise that this fella was in his grill until he got a message reporting it.
"The gull had himself wedged pretty darn good.
"Miraculously, he has no breaks. His wings are fine, his legs are fine, his back is sore, but there are no palpable abnormalities in the tissues or bone.
Read more
Taxi erupts into flames on Darlington street as firefighters called to scene
New car boot sale to launch at Darlington Arena with 'unlimited space' for sellers
Firefighters called to blaze at County Durham fish and chip shop
"He has no big scrapes, no big wounds, just a few leg scrapes and a lot of damaged feathers.
"The only spot of blood? A broken feather growing in that had bled. That could even happen with an aggressive preen.
"He will have a lot of monitoring, some painkillers, and all the food he could wish for to make up for his lucky escape."