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

(last update: 14-11-2009)

Larus fuscus fuscus 9cy C134, July 11 2003, Tampere, Finland (61.33N 24.59E).

C134 was ringed in Kanala, Finland (61,41N 24,06E); ringed as pullus on July 02 1995 by Risto Juvaste. Hand when ringed: 275 mm. 
Ring recorded at Tampere landfill:
1999: 6 records from 1999-05-18 until 1999-08-04,
2000: 2 records from 2000-05-03 until 2000-05-13,
2001: 15 records from 2001-04-23 until 2001-08-24, 
2002: 36 records from 2002-04-14 until 2002-08-10,
2003: 10 records from 2003-05-13 until 2003-07-11.

Ringed as pullus at Kanala, Finland on July 02 1995, now in 9cy. A representative for the adult fuscus by mid-July. Most striking are the small size (albeit probably a male), 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 strong brown hue on the old central greater coverts and the very dark fresh inner median coverts and two inner greater coverts.