Mediterranean Gull (L. melanocephalus)

(last update: 20-10-2005)

Mediterranean Gull 41N adult, August 09 2004, Le Portel /Boulogne-sur-Mer, France (50.42N,1.34E).

This individual shows white outer primaries with just a black streak along the outer-web, adult all white-grey plumage and black patches on the head. Typical adult bare part coloration: Iris dark brown, the red orbital ring turns brownish, the bill is red with a black bill-band. The legs are dull reddish.
From late summer to September, a complete moult takes place, bringing birds into so-called "adult winter" plumage. After the complete moult, birds show a blackish mask behind the eye. The mantle, scapulars, tertials and all the wing-coverts have been replaced for plain pale grey feathers. 
The secondaries are completely white. The new adult primaries are shiny pearly-grey, flashing white at a distance. There is a black line along the outer-web of P10 (and sometimes on P9 as well). Secondaries, under-wing and tail are completely white.

Ring readings:

  • 41N Left as pullus (metal: NLA 3.557.946) on May 29 1997 at Hellegatsplaten, NETHERLANDS (51,42N 04,22E).
  • 21/08/97  Le Portel, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE  50,42N 1,34E
  • | 14x
  • 10/10/98  Le Portel, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE  50,42N 1,34E
  • 21/02/99  Hossegor, Landes, FRANCE  43,40N 1,25E
  • 28/02/99  Hossegor, Landes, FRANCE  43,40N 1,25E
  • 14/07/99  Port d'Antifer, St Jouin-Bruneval, FRANCE  49,39N 0,09E
  • | 3x
  • 24/09/99  Port d'Antifer, St Jouin-Bruneval, FRANCE  49,39N 0,09E
  • 27/10/99  Gatteville, Manche, FRANCE  49,41N 1,16E
  • 13/11/99  St Vaast-la-Hougue, FRANCE  49,36N 1,15E
  • 11/03/00  Ars en Ré, Charente-Maritime, FRANCE  46,12N 1,32E
  • 02/04/00  Zandvlietsluis, Antwerpen, BELGIUM  51,2N 4,17E
  • | 2x
  • 11/04/00  Zandvlietsluis (new colony), Antwerpen, BELGIUM  51,2N 4,17E
  • 12/05/00  Ellewoutsdijk, Zuidgors, NETHERLANDS  51,23N 3,50E
  • 23/05/00  Ellewoutsdijk, Zuidgors, NETHERLANDS  51,23N 3,50E
  • 02/07/00  Le Portel, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE  50,42N 1,34E
  • | 11x
  • 06/12/00  Le Portel, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE  50,42N 1,34E
  • 16/04/01  Zandvlietsluis (new colony), Antwerpen, BELGIUM  51,2N 4,17E
  • | 2x
  • 25/04/01  Zandvlietsluis (new colony), Antwerpen, BELGIUM  51,2N 4,17E
  • 01/07/01  Rijkevorsel, Antwerpen, BELGIUM  51,21N 04,46E RERINGED 8AJ
  • 20/07/01  Le Portel, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE  50,42N 1,34E
  • | 5x
  • 02/09/01  Le Portel, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE  50,42N 1,34E
  • 22/11/01  La Flotte en Ré, Charente-Maritime, FRANCE  46,11N 1,18E
  • | 6x
  • 05/03/02  Ars en Ré, Charente-Maritime, FRANCE  46,12N 1,32E
  • 16/06/02  Zandvlietsluis (new colony), Antwerpen, BELGIUM  51,2N 4,17E
  • 07/07/02  Zandvlietsluis (new colony), Antwerpen, BELGIUM  51,2N 4,17E
  • 10/08/02  Le Portel, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE  50,42N 1,34E
  • | 7
  • 09/08/03  Le Portel, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE  50,42N 1,34E