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

(last update: 20-9-2010)

Larus fuscus fuscus adult C153, September 17 2010, Ashdod. Picture Amir Ben Dov.

White C153 must have been ringed somewhere in the mid-1990's, so a full adult (white C134 and C189 were ringed early July 1995), despite the much irregular pattern in the visible primaries. Data: ringed on July 11 1995 near Oravainen, W-Finland.

P2 shows a fresh full tip, P3-P5 have worn white tips, P6 looks slightly older than P5 (but be aware of the fact that P5 has been hidden and protected by the tertials lying on top, whete the tip of P6 is often more exposed to weather conditions), and the outer primaries look very abraded and pale brown. There should of course be a mirror on P10, but condition of feathers do noty allow any statements (in fact, they almost look like old 2nd gen primaries).
Amir Ben Dov visited Ashdod on 17.9.2010. About 150 - 200 gulls were present, with only 3 ringed adults from Finland.
Weather did not allow appropriate scores in the field, but the general idea was that most adult fuscus had dropped P1-P2. One bird missed P1-P2, but had P3-P4 growing at about 30% of the final length (irragular moult strategy). There were also a few birds which had not started the complete moult yet (P1-P10 present).