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

(last update: 14-11-2009)

Larus fuscus fuscus 8cy C1C2, July 11-17 2003, Tampere, Finland (61.33N 24.59E).

C1C2 was ringed in Kanala, Finland (61,41N 24,06E); ringed as pullus on June 30 1996 by Risto Juvaste. Hand when ringed: 120 mm. 
Records:
1998-04-03 (as 3cy bird in Israel 31,96N 34,73E),
Ring records at Tampere landfill:
1998: 1 record 1998-06-12,
1999: 11 records from 1999-05-12 until 1999-08-20,
2000: 12 records from 2000-04-29 until 2000-07-23,
2001: 20 records from 2001-04-21 until 2001-08-14, 
2002: 30 records from 2002-04-14 until 2002-08-10,
2003: 21 records from 2003-05-17 until 2003-08-02.

Ringed as pullus at Kanala, Finland on June 30 1996, now in 8cy. A representative for the adult fuscus by mid-July. Most striking 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 strong brown hue on the old central greater coverts and scapulars and the dark fresh inner greater and median coverts. The basic moult hasn't started yet in this bird, as all primaries still old. One rear scapular in the lowest row appears much paler grey than adjacent feathers. Primary moult score (PMS) in July 2003: P1-P10 still old. PMS in August 2002 not judged. Probably a female.