Gulls in NW Europe
(last update: September 25, 2011
Herring Gull (argentatus) C59VH 2CY-6CY, February 2010, January 2012 & November 2014, the Netherlands.
Bird ringed as juvenile on June 27 2009 at Rymättylä municipality, Southwestern Finland. Metal: Helsinki HT-235484.
below: Herring Gull (argentatus) C59VH 2CY, February 16 2010, Leiden, the Netherlands
Second-calendar year Herring Gull in first-winter plumage. Distinctive for a Herring Gull of this age are the light inner primaries, forming a pale window which contrasts with the darker outer primaries and dark secondaries. The first-generation greater coverts show a "piano key" pattern. Clearly visible are also the white tips on the primary coverts, the secondaries and - to a lesser extent - the primaries. The tail has a broad, dark subterminal band and isolated markings on the basal half. The outer tail feathers (T6) show light markings on the outer web; the tail coverts carry dark V-markings. The underwing shows dark axillaries and coverts against light primaries and secondaries.
Below: The complete mantle and almost all of the scapulars are second-generation feathers (showing an anchor pattern), with only a few lower scapulars still first-generation. On the left side, one of the lower scapulars seems to be missing. The second-generation grayish feathers on the flank and in the neck strongly contrast with the old bleached brown feathers.
The first-generation coverts and tertials look worn and abraded. Note the thin fringes on the tertials, reminiscent of sub species argentatus. The head has fine streaking with a dark eye patch. The base of the bill is pale, the bill tip is light. The iris is dark.
below: Herring Gull (argentatus) C59VH 2CY, February 21 2010, Leiden, the Netherlands. Picture: Maarten van Kleinwee.
Second-calendar year Herring Gull in first-winter plumage. The complete mantle and almost all of the scapulars are second-generation feathers (showing an anchor pattern), with only a few lower scapulars still first-generation. On the left side, one of the lower scapulars seems to be missing. The second-generation grayish feathers on the flank and in the neck strongly contrast with the old bleached brown feathers.
The first-generation coverts and tertials look worn and abraded. Note the thin fringes on the tertials, reminiscent of sub species argentatus. The head has fine streaking with a dark eye patch. The base of the bill is pale, the bill tip is light.
below: Herring Gull (argentatus) C59VH 4CY, January 13 2012, Noordwijk, the Netherlands.
Adult-like inner primaries, mirror on P10. However, very immature with much markings on secondary centres.
below: Herring Gull (argentatus) C59VH 6CY, November 14 2014, Katwijk, the Netherlands.
Adult wingtip.
