Lesser Black-backed Gull (graellsii & intermedius)

(last update: May 17 2015)

LBBG 3cy E304 May 31 2002, Maasvlakte, the Netherlands. 

This bird has hardly moulted any of the upper-parts, prior to northbound migration. The fourth greater covert has been renewed and the eleventh lower lesser covert. All other wing-coverts are still very much abraded second generation feathers. In the scapulars, 60-70% of the feathers have been replaced for all grey adult-like feathers, but still many brown and abraded feathers can be seen in the scapulars. There are no grey tertials, the tertials have a dark blackish centre with a broad white tip. The fringes of the tertials are worn away. Soft parts acquired adult-like pigmentation with the bill showing a small black bill-band and bright red on the gonys. The legs are still pale yellow-pink.