Lesser Black-backed Gull (graellsii & intermedius)

(last update: 22-2-2011)

LBBG intermedius 3cy SVS 8103331September 02 2003, Westkapelle, the Netherlands (51.58N-04.02E).

A 3cy intermedius from Sweden, ringed Stockholm 8103331, ringed as pullus on 1 July 2001 at Orust, Bohuslan, SW Sweden (58.04N 11.27E). Two weeks later, seen on 16 September 2003 at Calais, NW France (50.57N 01.50E).This individual has an average primary moult strategy, with P5 fully grown third generation primaries. The outer primaries P8-P10 are still second generation. The inner secondaries are still old, the outer secondaries were not judged well in the field. The tail-feathers are all present and very adult-like white and fresh.

The bill has black on both mandibles and the red gonydeal spot is confined to the lower mandible. The bill is pale yellow. The orbital ring is rather dark red. The white-yellow iris has no obvious speckling. There is some fine dark streaking on the crown and in the lower neck. Most scapulars and the mantle look medium grey, with a brown hue on the older upper scapulars. Most wing-coverts have the same colour, especially the median coverts, lower lesser coverts and inner greater coverts. These coverts were moulted in the early stage of complete moult cycles. The central greater coverts are missing and the second generation secondaries underneath are exposed. The legs are pale yellow.