(2 images) Herring Gull T 95.398 2cy (argentatus), January 13 2004, Lubna rubbish dump, Poland (52°02'N 21°08'E ). Pictures Ruud Altenburg.

This individual was ringed in Estonia, Matsalu T-95.398. It was ringed the previous summer as pullus at June 27 2003, at Kobajad, Lääne, Estonia (58.36N 23.30E). In the right wing, all upper scapulars have been replaced for second generation feathers (100% class) and most lower scapulars as well, except the lowest row of lower scapulars (50-75% class); total score: 50-75%. The left wing has a slightly lower score in the lower scapulars. The inner wing-coverts and upper tertials show clear abrasion.
Argentatus is a breeding species of northern latitudes in Scandinavia, and as can be expected, the moult to second generation feathers is delayed, compared to south-western breeding argenteus. Argentatus from the northernmost populations remain in Scandinavia for most of the autumn, and this factor, together with the later hatching date, may be one of the reasons the juvenile feathers are not as bleached as in argenteus by January. The southern argentatus populations from Denmark, eastern Germany and the Baltic states are more reminiscent of argenteus, as this individual clearly illustrates.