Gulls in NW Europe

(last update: September 25, 2011 )

Herring Gull 2cy Y.ADF (argenteus) June - July 2009, Scheveningen, the Netherlands.

Ringed Herring Gull Y.ADF from Forteiland, IJmuiden. Ringed by Fred & Kees as juvenile on June 30 2008.
Scapular Moult Score: Upper and Lower Scapulars 100% 2nd generation like (possibly a few us missing.
P1-P2 fg, P3 growing, P4-P5 missing P6-P10 juv, R & S juvenile. Tertails 1-2 2nd gen, tt3-6 juv, gc 1 growing gc 2 missing gc3-15 juv (gc18 last visible); mc1-2,8 2nd gen, central mc missing, outer mc 2nd gen growing inwards; inner llc missing?; lc 100% juv (>90% visi).

The IJmuiden Ringing Team (Fred & Kees) have ringed again several Herring Gulls and Lesser Black-backed Gulls at Forteiland, IJmuiden in 2008. This time green darvic rings have been attached, starting with Y for borh species (so codes read Y.xxx).
Early in the season, adults were caught at the nests and ringed, late June 2008 several juveniles were caught and ringed as well.

This page shows an example of birds from this IJmuiden project. All observations of ringed birds from this project can be sent to Kees Camphuysen at NIOZ, Texel (mail camphuys at nioz dot nl).

below: 2cy Y.ADF (argenteus) June 05 2009, Scheveningen, the Netherlands.

below: 2cy Y.ADF (argenteus) July 27 2009, Scheveningen, the Netherlands. Pictures: Maarten van Kleinwee.

Second-calendar year Herring Gull, moulting to second-winter plumage. All scapulars have been moulted to third-generation feathers and are much more dark-centered compared to the previous second-generation feathers that were anchor-patterned. Note also the very dark lower scapulars. The tertials are second-generation and are dark with a white tip. All wing coverts are replaced by second-generation feathers, and have a blocked pattern (some still show a buffish-yellow tinge). P1 to P6 are new and fully grown (the tips of P5 and P6 are just visible), P7 is growing, P8 is missing and P9-10 are juvenile. The bill is starting to show an extensive pink base. The head is light with dark streaks, the breast, underbody and flanks are white with dark barring. The legs are pink.
Moultscore: 34 (P1=5, P2=5, P3=5, P4=5, P5=5, P6=5, P7=3, P8=1, P9=0, P10=0). S1 new as well. Active moult in tail, with T5 (or maybe P6) still old juvenile, other rectrices shed.