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

(last update: 16-11-2009)

Larus fuscus fuscus 8cy C72Y, July 10 2003, Tampere, Finland (61.33N 24.59E).

C72Y was ringed in Pälkän, Finland (61,37N 24,43E); ringed as pullus on June 29 1996 by Risto Juvaste. Hand when ringed: 175 mm. 
Ring records at Tampere landfill:
1999: 4 records from 1999-05-12 until 1999-07-07,
2000: 7 records from 2000-04-29 until 2000-06-15,
2001: 23 records from 2001-04-29 until 2001-08-31,
2002: 33 records from 2002-04-16 until 2002-08-06,
2003: 20 records from 2003-05-21 until 2003-08-09.

Ringed as pullus at Palkan, Finland on June 29 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. The basic moult hasn't started yet, as all the primaries are still old. Note the strong brown hue on the old inner greater coverts and rear scapulars and the dark fresh inner median coverts. This very elongated bird is probably a female.