Lesser Black-backed Gull (graellsii & intermedius)

(last update: 8-2-2011)

L. f. graellsii CCE October 2008, January & December 2009, Holland & Spain.

Ringed 3cy graellsii, ringed in the U.K. Ringed by The Severn Estuary Gull Group, blue CCE and metal FP86866. Ringed on October 20 2007 as 1cy bird, at SGD Gloucester landfill site, near Hempsted, Gloucestershire 51.51N 02.16W.

below: CCE October 23 2008, Utrecht, The Netherlands. Picture: Herman Bouman.

2cy / second winter in October.

below: CCE January 11 2009, Landfill VRSU de Colmenar Viejo, Madrid, Spain. Picture: Delfín González.

3cy now. Scapular region mix of grey and brown feathers. Several wing-coverts and tertials more adult-like grey, replaced in the partial autumn moult (e.g. upper tertials, inner gc). Second winter in January, with 2nd gen-like wing-covert panel. In third winter, much more mature, with immature markings obvious on bill and very extensive mottling on the head and neck.

below: CCE December 20 2009, Landfill VRSU de Colmenar Viejo, Madrid, Spain. Picture: Delfín González.

Still in 3cy, but now 3rd winter. Advanced grey in the wing-coverts.