nominate Lesser Black-backed Gull (L. f. fuscus)

(last update: 10-11-2009)

Larus fuscus fuscus 3cy-4cy C3RH, August 08-12 2002 & July 07 2003, Tampere, Finland (61.33N 24.59E).

C3RH 3cy, August 08 - 12 2002, Tampere.

C3RH was ringed in Kanala, Finland (61.41N 24.06E); ringed as pullus on July 02 2000 by Risto Juvaste.
Recorded at Tampere:
2002-07-08, 2002-07-15, 2002-07-19, 2002-07-25, 2002-07-28, 2002-07-31, 2002-08-03, 2002-08-08, 2002-08-12, 2003-07-16, 2002-08-17, 2002-08-18, 2002-08-24, 
2003-05-16, 2003-05-17, 2003-05-18, 2003-05-24, 2003-05-25, 2003-06-28, 2003-06-29, 2003-07-05, 2003-07-06, 2003-07-20, 2003-07-23, 2003-07-24, 2003-08-02, 2003-08-03, 2003-08-09.
After August 24 2002 & August 09 2003, it wasn't seen again at Tampere dump despite many visits and may have moved further south from that date on.

Ringed in Finland, white C3RH. Arrested moult at P8, with the inner primaries third generation and the outer two primaries still old second generation. The complete tail  exists of all-white rectrices. Note that the second and fourth tertials have an obvious brown hue. Such a brown hue can also been found in the lesser coverts, which contrast strongly with the recently replaced median coverts. The same contrast can be found between the lowest row of the scapulars and the upper scapulars. Note the immature colour of the soft parts: the pale yellow base of the bill, the greenish iris with peppered black markings.

C3RH 3cy, July 07 2003, Tampere.

Ringed as pullus on July 04 2000, C3RH is now (2003) in 4cy. A representative for sub-adult fuscus by mid-July, but very adult-like in all respects. Most striking compared to western taxa are: the small size, the slender bill, the red gonydeal spot which normally doesn't exceed on the upper mandible, the dark upper-parts which turn brown hued when older and worn, the lack of moult in the scapulars, wing-coverts and the primaries and the small white tips on the outer primaries, which wear away quickly. Note the contrast between the fresh cold blackish grey upper scapulars and the brown hued older lower scapulars.
2002 (3cy) primary moult stage: arrested at P8, while outer primaries P9-P10 are still old.
2003 (4cy) primary moult stage: all primaries present, with a division between fresh P4 and slightly worn P5. However, P5 slightly exceeds the tertials and is more worn in general. Note the very small mirror on P10 and the speckled iris.

(July 2003)