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

(last update: 16-11-2009)

Larus fuscus fuscus 5cy CJK7, August 06-10 2002 & July 15 2003, Tampere, Finland (61.33N 24.59E).

CJK7 was ringed in Kanala, Finland (61,41N 24,06E); ringed as pullus on June 28 1998 by Risto Juvaste. Hand when ringed: 190 mm. 
Ring records at Tampere landfill:
1998: 2 records from 1998-08-06 until 1998-08-25,
2000: 6 records from 2000-06-01 until 2000-08-12,
2001: 34 records from 2001-04-28 until 2001-08-06,
2002: 28 records from 2002-04-21 until 2002-08-10,
2003: 16 records from 2003-05-11 until 2003-08-03.

Probably a male. Ringed as pullus in June 1998, now in 6cy. A representative for the adult fuscus by mid-July. Fuscus features: 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 on the breeding grounds, as all primaries still old in July 2003 and August 2002.