Lesser Black-backed Gull (graellsii & intermedius)

(last update: May 17 2015)

Lesser Black-backed Gull intermedius NOS 4107441 17CY-18CY, September-November 2002 & November 2003, Westkapelle, the Netherlands.

Ringed as pullus in southern Norway, on 13 July 1986 as pullus at VALLØY, MANDAL, V-AGDER, NORWAY (57.59N 07.39E) (ring attached upside-down). A dark grey individual.

below: Lesser Black-backed Gull intermedius NOS 4107441 17CY, November 01 2002, Westkapelle, the Netherlands.

P8 is fully grown, PMS of 44 on November 01 2002. Note the delicate fine streaking on head and in the hind-neck. This bird was seen on this location again, one year later (see below).

below: Lesser Black-backed Gull intermedius NOS 4107441 18CY, September 02 2003, Westkapelle, the Netherlands.

Adult LBBG intermedius with P7-P10 still old, and P4 fully grown. All rectrices and secondaries are still old. This represents the darker intermedius birds, often showing warm brown hue on the old wing-coverts. Compare the grey tone of upper-parts with the presumed local 'Dutch intergrade' right. 
Together with the primary moult, moult in the wing-coverts has started as well and the differences between the old brown and new grey feathers are obvious between the median and the lesser coverts. The scapulars are a mix of old brown and new dark grey feathers as well. On the bill, the red gonydeal spot extends on the upper mandible and there is only a small mirror on P10.

below: Lesser Black-backed Gull intermedius NOS 4107441 18CY, November 02 2003, Westkapelle, the Netherlands.

Intermedius Stavanger 4107441 was seen again at Westkapelle in a more or less similar moult score. P7 is fully grown, while P10 is still old and present. The legs are pale yellow, the orbital ring is dark red. The white-yellow iris shows no speckling. The bill is yellow, with the red gonydeal spot confined to the lower mandible, but with dark markings on both upper and lower mandible. All old tail-feathers have been shed, but the new feathers are not fully grown yet.