Lesser Black-backed Gull (graellsii & intermedius)

(last update: May 17 2015)

LBBG 1cy AMAV September 23 1999 Westkapelle, the Netherlands. Photo Pim Wolf.

A first calendar year bird with a Belgian ring: AMAV, ringed as pullus on June 18 1999 at Zeebrugge, Belgium. An individual showing the ordinary moult stage by September with a few mantle feathers and most of the upper scapulars moulted. Note the broad pale fringes and the anchor pattern on the new feathers, where the old juvenile scapulars have the fringes worn away. Note also the wear of the white tips and protruding shaft of the upper tertials.