2cy Lesser Black-backed Gull Gull L f intermedius

Lesser Black-backed Gull - Larus fuscus intermedius

1-2: © Maarten van Kleinwee, 04-06-11. Huigpark, Leiden, Netherlands

Blue VE1E is a Danish intermedius. It is extremely advanced for a 2cy Lesser Black-backed Gull, having already renewed P1-7 (P7 not yet fully grown) by early June; P8-10 are juvenile. The tail has been renewed as well. The secondaries are in active moult, but most feathers still are juvenile. Theoretically speaking it would be probably possible to reach this moult stage if the complete moult has started in very early spring. By no means, however, can it be excluded that a fuscus-like moult has occurred (resulting in a moult pattern shown by this 2cy fuscus). In the field, it would be hard to detect this bird was actively moulting, as the moult gaps are small and not easily visible. Birds like this emphasize the need to also consider plumage features when identifying 2cy fuscus.