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

(last update: 14-11-2009)

Larus fuscus fuscus 9cy C3 28, July 10 2003, Tampere, Finland (61.33N 24.59E).

C3 28 was ringed in Ikaali, Finland (61,81N 23,44E); ringed as pullus on July 05 1995. Hand when ringed: 167 mm. 
Ring records at Tampere landfill:
1998: 4 records from 1998-06-11 until 1998-08-06,
1999: 5 records from 1999-04-23 until 1999-07-21,
2000: 5 records from 2000-04-14 until 2000-08-12,
2001: 2 records from 2001-07-28 until 2001-08-10, 
2002: 5 records from 2002-04-13 until 2002-08-02,
2003: 4 records from 2003-07-09 until 2003-08-12.

Ringed as pullus at Ikaali, Finland on July 05 1995, now in 9cy. The basic moult has started, with P1 new and P2-P10 still old in this individual. 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 upper-parts.