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

(last update: 16-11-2009)

Larus fuscus fuscus 5cy CNN2, August 10-12 2002 & July 11-16 2003, Tampere, Finland (61.33N 24.59E).

CNN2 was ringed in Pälkäne, Finland (61,36N 24,38E); ringed as pullus on July 03 1998. 
Ring records at Tampere landfill:
1998: 1 record from Pälkäne (61.36N 24.37E) on 1998-07-17,
2001: 29 records from 2001-05-21 until 2991-09-04,
2002: 43 records from 2002-04-26 until 2002-08-24,
2003: 19 records from 2003-05-17 until 2003-08-09.

Ringed as pullus in 1998, now in 6cy. Adult fuscus with small size, slender bill and dark upper-parts which turn brown hued when older and worn. Normally, fuscus lack active moult in the scapulars, wing-coverts and the primaries in summer, but this individual is moulting central median coverts and this is a first indication there may be start of the complete moult. Indeed, CNN2 has recently replaced P1, which is still growing and P2 is missing by mid July. P3-P10 are still old. Note the small white tips on the outer primaries, which wear away quickly.