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

(last update: 16-11-2009)

Larus fuscus fuscus 11cy CH03, July 10 2003, Tampere, Finland (61.33N 24.59E).

CH03 was ringed in Tampere, Finland (61,70N 23,80E); ringed as pullus on July 11 1993.
Ring records at Tampere landfill:
1998: 1 record from Israel (31,96N 34,73E) on 1998-04-11,
1998: 2 records from 1998-06-15 until 1998-07-31,
1999: 12 records from 1999-04-22 until 1999-09-10,
2000: 11 records from 2000-04-20 until 2000-08-24,
2001: 23 records from 2001-04-11 until 2001-08-16,
2002: 26 records from 2002-04-14 until 2002-08-31,
2003: 13 records from 2003-05-11 until 2003-08-06.

Ringed as pullus at Tampere, Finland on July 11 1993, now in 11cy. 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. The basic moult hasn't started yet, as all primaries, P1-P10 are still old. Note that moult has started in the feathers around the eye.