Lesser Black-backed Gull (graellsii & intermedius)

(last update: 09-06-2013)

Lesser Black-backed Gull sub-adult, June 24 2013, Noordwijk, the Netherlands.

Probably unringed 3CY (but very advanced, which leaves the option open "4CY", but P5 pattern in left wing strongly suggests 3CY) LBBG which is very advanced in moult and shows a complete white tail, all secondaries already replaced and odd moult in primaries. "Staffelmauser", which has been described for nominate fuscus seems to apply to a small portion of western birds as well: a double moult wave in the primaries. One wave started at P1, the other at P4. In the right wing P1 replaced, P2-P3 growing, P4-P5 replaced, than moult arrested so P6-P10 old. In left wing almost identical moult pattern: P1 replaced P2 growing, P3 missing, P4 replaced/growing and P5-P10 old.

Interestingly, this bird is rather pale grey in upperparts, closer to graellsii than it is to intermedius.