Lesser Black-backed Gull (graellsii & intermedius)

(last update: May 17 2015)

(5 images) LBBG 1cy NLA 5.179.990August 2004 & June 2005 Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

below: 5.179.990, August 28 2004. R. Altenburg.

Bird ringed at Schaalsmeerpolder, Oost-Knollendam, the Netherlands (close to Amsterdam) on June 13 2004.

below 4 photo's: 2cy 5.179.990, June 12 2005. R. v. Dijk & R. Altenburg.

Here you find another typical local first type 2cy LBBG with a very pale head.
There are no juvenile feathers in the scapulars and mantle; they are either second generation and very abraded (the fringes are completely worn away) or fresh third generation (dark blackish-grey without obvious internal markings).
The moult has started and the inner primaries have been shed, P1 is now growing again, P5-P10 are still old juvenile. In the mean time, replacement of the wing-coverts has started as well, and the common sequence is followed by this individual. Note the difference between the recently required wing-coverts, which show very neat tips and the wing-coverts replaced a few months ago on the wintering grounds. For instance, in the left wing greater coverts 1-3 are much older. The inner median coverts were replaced in an early stage as well, while the outer medians are currently replaced and are growing. These median coverts are replaced form outside to inside. The outer greater coverts are still juvenile and are brown based and very worn.
The last picture shows this bird in flight. The tail feathers are in active moult, which is at an unusual early stage of the complete moult (normally tail-feather moult starts when primary moult arrives at P6 (P5 fully grown).