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

(last update: 16-11-2009)

Larus fuscus fuscus 9cy CJ 59, July 09-17 2003, Tampere, Finland (61.33N 24.59E).

CJ 59 was ringed in Ylöjär, Finland (61,60N 23,71E); ringed as pullus on July 11 1995. Hand when ringed: 200 mm. 
Ring records at Tampere landfill:
1998: 2 records from 1998-06-16 until 1998-07-16,
1999: 5 records from 1999-05-06 until 1999-07-07,
2000: 12 records from 2000-04-23 until 2000-08-11,
2001: 30 records from 2001-04-22 until 2001-08-11,
2002: 19 records from 2002-04-18 until 2002-07-30,
2003: 22 records from 2003-05-13 until 2003-08-13.

Ringed as pullus at Ylojar, Finland on July 11 1995, now in 9cy. The basic moult hasn't started yet, as all primaries are still old. 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 fresh central and inner median coverts.