Gulls in NW Europe
(last update: September 25, 2011
Herring Gull 24-29cy D A (argenteus) 2009-2014, Leiden, the Netherlands. Pictures: Maarten van Kleinwee.
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Ringed as juvenile on July 10 1986 in the dunes of Wassenaar near the Dutch coast. Sex: male.
below: Herring Gull 29cy D A (argenteus) July 12 2014. Leiden, the Netherlands. Pictures: Maarten van Kleinwee.
Almost 30 years old, still going strong.
below: Herring Gull 29cy D A (argenteus) May 17 2014. Leiden, the Netherlands. Pictures: Maarten van Kleinwee.
Speckling in iris.
below: Herring Gull 26cy D A (argenteus) December 26 2011.
European Herring Gull (Larus argentatus argenteus), 26th calendar year.
Leiden, Zijlpoort, The Netherland, December 26, 2011. Black D, Green A. European Herring Gull in its 26th calendar year in full winter (basic) plumage. During the winter, this individual is known to leave the city of Leiden and to be absent until at least January the next year. It is surprising therefore to see it back so soon, probably related to the very mild winter that we are having at the moment in The Netherlands (temperatures close to 10º C during the day).
below: 26cy D A (argenteus) October 15 2011.
European Herring Gull in its 26th calendar year, moulting to winter (basic) plumage. P6 and P7 are new and fully grown, P8 and P9 are growing (not visible in this photo), P10 has been dropped. Extensive winter streaking on the head.
This individual is regularly seen in Leiden during the breeding season but it is not known where it spends the rest of the year. During the last three seasons, the last observation has always been in September. This is the first October observation of this individual in Leiden, proving that it is still in the area. Interestingly though, it hasn't visited the local fish market for some weeks, the location where it is regularly seen during the breeding season.
below: 26cy D A (argenteus) June 18 2011.
European Herring Gull in its 26th calendar year, moulting to winter (basic) plumage. During this moult cycle, this individual shows distinct bare patches on the head and in the neck, lasting well into September.
below: 26cy D A (argenteus) August 20 2011.
European Herring Gull in its 26th calendar year, moulting to winter (basic) plumage. During this moult cycle, this individual shows distinct bare patches on the head and in the neck, lasting well into September. P1 - P4 are new and fully grown, P5 is almost fully grown, P6 is just growing.
below: 26cy D A (argenteus) August 06 2011.
During this moult cycle, this individual shows distinct bare patches on the head and in the neck, lasting well into September. P1 - P3 are new and fully grown, P4 is almost fully grown, P5 and P6 have been dropped. PMS=21 (P1=5, P2=5, P3=5, P4=4, P5=1, P6=1, P7=0, P8=0, P9=0, P10=0).
below: 26cy D A (argenteus) July 30 2011.
P1 - P3 are new and fully grown, P4 is almost fully grown, P5 has been dropped. PMS=20 (P1=5, P2=5, P3=5, P4=4, P5=1, P6=0, P7=0, P8=0, P9=0, P10=0).
below: 26cy D A (argenteus) May 21 2011.
Over the last couple of days, the wing moult has started: P1 and P2 have been dropped; May 22 2010 all primaries were still present. For 21 May 2011 PMS=2 (P1=1, P2=1, P3=0, P4=0, P5=0, P6=0, P7=0, P8=0, P9=0, P10=0).
below: 26cy D A (argenteus) April 16 2011.
Some faint black markings are still visible on the bill, a remnant of the winter (basic) plumage.
below: 26cy D A (argenteus) April 02 2011.
Some faint black markings are still visible on the bill, a remnant of the winter (basic) plumage.
below: 26cy D A (argenteus) January 29 2011.
Compared to 9 days ago, almost all of the winter markings on the head have disappeared; only faint markings can still be seen around the bill. Note also the black markings on the bill, the only clear remnant of the winter (basic) plumage. Note the mirror on P10 and the small white spot on the inner web of P9. P5 has a faint black mark on the outer web. The primary shafts are dark.
below: 25cy D A (argenteus) September 18 2010.
Moulting to winter plumage (prebasic moult). The head, neck and breast feathers are now fully replaced and show typical winter streaking. P1 to P6 are new and fully grown, P7 is just growing, P8 has been dropped. PMS=33 (P1=5, P2=5, P3=5, P4=5, P5=5, P6=5, P7=2, P8=1, P9=0, P10=0).
below: 25cy D A (argenteus) September 11 2010.
P1 to P6 are new and fully grown, P7 is just growing. PMS=31 (P1=5, P2=5, P3=5, P4=5, P5=5, P6=5, P7=1, P8=0, P9=0, P10=0).
below: 25cy D A (argenteus) September 04 2010.
The bold patches on the right-hand side of the head and neck are only slowly growing in. P1 to P5 are new and fully grown, P6 is mostly grown, P7 has been shed. PMS=30 (P1=5, P2=5, P3=5, P4=5, P5=5, P6=4, P7=1, P8=0, P9=0, P10=0).
below: 25cy D A (argenteus) August 28 2010.
P1 to P5 are new and fully grown, P6 is half-size, P7 has been shed. PMS=29 (P1=5, P2=5, P3=5, P4=5, P5=5, P6=3, P7=1, P8=0, P9=0, P10=0).
below: 25cy D A (argenteus) August 21 2010.
The moulting process has created a bold patch on the right-hand side of the head all the way up to the bill. The left side of the head seems to be thinning now also. P1 to P4 are new and fully grown, P5 is almost fully grown, P6 is just growing. Moult score: 25 (P1=5, P2=5, P3=5, P4=5, P5=4, P6=1, P7=0, P8=0, P9=0, P10=0).
below: 25cy D A (argenteus) July 24 2010.
P1 and P2 are fully grown, P3 is almost fully grown. P4 is just growing. Moult score: 15 (P1=5, P2=5, P3=4, P4=1, P5=0, P6=0, P7=0, P8=0, P9=0, P10=0).
below: 25cy D A (argenteus) July 17 2010.
The moulting process has created a bold patch on the right-hand side of the head all the way up to the bill. P1 and P2 are fully grown, P3 is almost fully grown. P4 has been dropped. Moult score: 15 (P1=5, P2=5, P3=4, P4=1, P5=0, P6=0, P7=0, P8=0, P9=0, P10=0).
below: 25cy D A (argenteus) June 19 2010.
The right-hand side of the face and neck becomes very patchy during the moult to winter plumage. P1 is almost fully grown and P2 is at 3/4 size, P3 is missing. Moult score: 9 (P1=4, P2=4, P3=1, P4=0, P5=0, P6=0, P7=0, P8=0, P9=0, P10=0).
below: 25cy D A (argenteus) June 12 2010.
P1 is almost fully grown and P2 is half its full size. Moultscore: 7 (P1=4, P2=3, P3=0, P4=0, P5=0, P6=0, P7=0, P8=0, P9=0, P10=0).
below: 25cy D A (argenteus) June 05 2010.
Scrounging for food at the local fish market. P1 and P2 have been dropped. Moult score: 2 (P1=1, P2=1, P3=0, P4=0, P5=0, P6=0, P7=0, P8=0, P9=0, P10=0).
below: 25cy D A (argenteus) June 01 2010.
The pale patch in the neck on the right side is becoming very obvious, similar to previous years, around the same time.
Moult score: 2 (P1=1, P2=1, P3=0, P4=0, P5=0, P6=0, P7=0, P8=0, P9=0, P10=0).
below: 25cy D A (argenteus) May 22 2010.
The pale patch in the neck on the right side is becoming very obvious, similar to previous years, around the same time.
below: 25cy D A (argenteus) May 01 2010.
below: 25cy D A (argenteus) April 24 2010.
below: 25cy D A (argenteus) April 10 2010.
below: 25cy D A (argenteus) March 06 2010.
below: 25cy D A (argenteus) February 13 2010.
below: 25cy D A (argenteus) January 26 2010.
below: 25cy D A (argenteus) January 23 2010.
This gull doesn't react to food as much as other gulls do around him do, but prefers to observe from a roof top. Every once in a while he is chased away from his position by another gull, gingerly flies around and returns to the roof tops.
below: 24cy D A (argenteus) September 05 2009, Leiden, the Netherlands.
In September, P1-P5 are fully grown, and P6 nearly fully grown. P7 is missing, P8, P9 and P10 have not been moulted yet. The white base of the secondaries is clearly visible, due to the missing greater coverts. Moult score: 30 (P1=5, P2=5, P3=5, P4=5, P5=5, P6=4, P7=1, P8=0, P9=0, P10=0).
below: 24cy D A (argenteus) August 01 2009, Leiden, the Netherlands.
below: 24cy D A (argenteus) July 25 2009, Leiden, the Netherlands.
P1-P4 have been replaced and are fully grown; P5 is missing. Moult score: 21 (P1=5, P2=5, P3=5, P4=5, P5=1, P6=0, P7=0, P8=0, P9=0, P10=0).
below: 24cy D A (argenteus) July 11 2009, Leiden, the Netherlands.
P1, P2 and P3 have been replaced and are fully grown; the new P4 is halfway. This image also clearly shows the primary pattern: mirror on P10, a small white spot on the outer web of P9, and a small black spot on P5. Moult score: 18 (P1=5, P251, P3=5, P4=3, P5=0, P6=0, P7=0, P8=0, P9=0, P10=0).
below: 24cy D A (argenteus) June 27 2009, Leiden, the Netherlands.
P1 and P2 have been replaced, P3 is nearly full-grown.
Moult score: 14 (P1=5, P2=5, P3=4, P4=0, P5=0, P6=0, P7=0, P8=0, P9=0, P10=0).
Note the excellent condition of the rings after so many years.
