Lesser Black-backed Gull (graellsii & intermedius)

(last update: 20-2-2011)

L. f. graellsii CCV March - September 2008, Landfill VRSU de Colmenar Viejo, Madrid, Spain. Pictures: Gabriel Martín & Delfín González.

Ringed 2cy graellsii from the U.K. Ringed by The Severn Estuary Gull Group, blue CCV and metal FP86877. Ringed on October 20 2007 as 1cy bird, at SGD Gloucester landfill site, near Hempsted, Gloucestershire 51.51N 02.16W.

below: 2cy CCV March 08 2008, Ciudad Real, Spain.

Scapulars replaced. All wing-coverts and tertials juvenile in left wing.

below: 2cy CCV April 19 2008, Ciudad Real, Spain.

Scapulars replaced. All wing-coverts and tertials juvenile in left wing. Not much of a difference.

below: 2cy CCV July 25 2008, Ciudad Real, Spain.

Rapid moult has taken place. Wing-covert panel replaced, with the gap in the central gc already closed. Probably the partial autumn has started in this bird, as the upper tertial and the inner gc seem to be missing.

below: CCV September 08 2008, Landfill VRSU de Colmenar Viejo, Madrid, Spain. Picture: Delfín González.

Moulting into second winter plumage.
Complete moult not finished yet, and a simultaneous partial autumn moult takes place in the wing-coverts. These feathers are much more adult-like, grey.

Scapular region mix of grey and brown feathers. Several wing-coverts and tertials now replaced again in the partial autumn moult (e.g. upper tertials, inner gc). Note also the missing coverts. This partial autumn moult overlaps with the end of the complete moult (P9 fully grown, only P10 not at length).