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

(last update: 16-11-2009)

Larus fuscus fuscus 10cy CS 47, July 09-17 2003, Tampere, Finland (61.33N 24.59E).

CS 47 was ringed in Padasj, Finland (61,33N 25,36E); ringed as pullus on July 21 1994 by Risto Juvaste. Hand when ringed: 285 mm. 
Ring records at Tampere landfill:
2000: 12 records from 2000-04-26 until 2000-07-14,
2001: 19 records from 2001-04-20 until 2001-07-10,
2002: 25 records from 2002-04-21 until 2002-08-10,
2003: 12 records from 2003-06-05 until 2003-08-09.

Ringed as pullus at Padasj, Finland on July 21 1994, now in 10cy. This individual is slightly paler grey on the upper-parts, yet still within the range of fuscus from SW Finland (see the Munsell values for Finnish fuscus in the fuscus chart by Barth). Note the small size, the slender bill, the red gonydeal spot which normally doesn't exceed on the upper mandible, the brown hue on the dark upper-parts, 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 pattern of very bleached greater coverts and lower tertials is often found in 3cy and 4cy birds, but apparently may be shown by older adults as well. Note also the dark speckling in the yellow iris.