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

(last update: 14-11-2009)

Larus fuscus fuscus 9cy C122, August 09 2002 & July 15-17 2003, Tampere, Finland (61.33N 24.59E).

C122 was ringed in Pälkäne, Finland (61,35N 24,15E); ringed as pullus on July 02 1995 by Risto Juvaste. Hand when ringed: 145 mm. 
Ring recorded at Tampere landfill:
1997: 2 records from 1997-06-05 and 1997-07-26 at Lahti (60.98N 25.63E),
1998: 4 records from 1998-07-09 until 1998-08-06,
1999: 7 records from 1999-06-19 until 1999-07-28,
2000: 6 records from 2000-04-30 until 2000-07-21,
2001: 19 records from 2001-05-24 until 2001-08-11, 
2002: 23 records from 2002-04-13 until 2002-08-09,
2003: 10 records from 2003-05-24 until 2003-08-09.

Ringed as pullus at Palkan, Finland on July 02 1995, now in 9cy. A representative for the adult fuscus by mid-July. Most striking are the small size (maybe female), 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. Primary moult score not judged in 2002 or 2003.