Mediterranean Gull (L. melanocephalus)

(last update: June 11, 2012 )

Mediterranean Gull 3cy R76E July 13 2012, Le Portel / Boulogne-sur-Mer, NW France. Picture: Jean-Michel Sauvage.

Bird has been ringed by team Cap Ornis Baguage, as pullus at Conchil le Temple, Pas de Calais, FRANCE (50,22N 1,4E) on 22 June 2010. Ring recoveries:

26/02/2011 Las tres piedras, Chipiona, Cádiz, SPAIN 36,43N 6,26W IV national sightingsGarcia, R
26/02/2011 Las tres piedras, Chipiona, Cádiz, SPAIN 36,43N 6,26W IV national sightingsBarrena, P
17/05/2011 Montlouis-sur-Loire, Indre-et-Loire, FRANCE 47,25N 0,48E Griard, B
05/06/2011 Montlouis-sur-Loire, Indre-et-Loire, FRANCE 47,25N 0,48E Griard, B
11/08/2011 Granville, Plat-Gousset, Manche, FRANCE 48,5N 1,36W Chabot, E
18/09/2011 Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue, 'Pont de Saire', Manche, FRANCE 49,36N 1,15W Crestey, S
23/09/2011 Heauville, Manche, FRANCE 49,35N 1,51W Robbe, E
23/10/2011 Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue, 'Pont de Saire', Manche, FRANCE 49,36N 1,15W Crestey, S
12/07/2012 Le Portel, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE 50,42N 1,34E Sauvage, J M

From June to September, a complete moult takes place, into so-called "third winter" or "adult winter" plumage. The head pattern resembles the pattern in first winter birds, with blackish mask behind the eye. The mantle, scapulars, tertials and all the wing-coverts are replaced for plain pearl-grey feathers. The secondaries are completely white. The 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 all completely white. The bare part coloration in adult plumage: Iris brown, orbital ring red or orangey-red, the bill red or orangey-red with a black bill-band and a yellowish tip and the legs dull reddish or dark. There is some variation in 3cy and 4cy wing-tip patterns.