Lesser Black-backed Gull (graellsii & intermedius)

(last update: May 17 2015)

LBBG 2cy E532E October 05 2002, Dannes - Portel, NW France. 

2cy graellsii ringed at Maasvlakte, the Netherlands as pullus in summer 2001: July 01 2001. All the second generation rectrices start to become slightly worn at the fringes, although the white tips are still visible in some feathers. Primary P10 is fully grown.

The partial moult included some of the wing-coverts: tertials #1-2 have been replaced and in the wing, greater coverts #2-3, median coverts #1, #3 and #5 and in the lower lesser coverts #1 has been replaced. These newly moulted feathers strongly contrast with the older and slightly bleached second generation wing-coverts. (Although the central greater coverts were moulted last in line in the complete moult and are therefore pretty fresh as well).