Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus)

(last update: July 12, 2015)

Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus) NOS 392988 2cy, June & August 2012, Boulogne sur Mer, France (50.44 N - 01.35 E). Picture Jean-Michel Sauvage.

Ringed as pullus on 16 June 2011 at Flataskjeret (Norway, Hordaland, Tysnes), a distance of 1068 km.

below: NOS 392988 2cy, August 23 2012, Boulogne sur Mer, France (50.44 N - 01.35 E). Picture Jean-Michel Sauvage.

P6/-.
The moult gap in the central greater coverts has just been closed; the last growing feathers can easily be detected by their brown buffish hue (GC5 and outwards). Together with replacement of the last juvenile lesser coverts in the carpal edge, this normally is the end of the complete moult in the wing-covert panel.
Simultaneously, also the 6 tertials have been replaced, and moult now progresses further in the secondary row (S17 and outwards are mssing, just visible).

below: 2cy, June 03-04 2012, Boulogne-sur-Mer, NW France. Picture: Jean-Michel Sauvage.

2cy, probable male, present on both 03 and 04 June 2012 at the port of Boulogne-sur-Mer. Complete moult started, note new wing-coverts.