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

(last update: 16-11-2009)

Larus fuscus fuscus 8cy CX18, July 10-16 2003, Tampere, Finland (61.33N 24.59E).

CX18 was ringed in Kanala, Finland (61,41N 24,06E); ringed as pullus on June 30 1996 by Risto Juvaste. Hand when ringed: 220 mm. 
Ring records at Tampere landfill:
1999: 10 records from 1999-05-11 until 1999-08-06,
2000: 10 records from 2000-04-14 until 2000-08-09,
2001: 25 records from 2001-04-30 until 2001-08-16,
2002: 23 records from 2002-04-15 until 2002-08-16,
2003: 22 records from 2003-05-24 until 2003-08-06.

Ringed as pullus at Kanala, Finland on June 30 1996, now in 8cy. 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 red  marking on the upper mandible in this individual and the strong brown hue on the old innermost greater coverts and scapulars and the very dark fresh median coverts coverts. The basic moult hasn't started yet in this bird, as all primaries still old.