Lesser Black-backed Gull 9cy graellsii BTO GG-93433 April 22 2002, Missouriweg - ECT, Maasvlakte, the Netherlands (51.59N,04.02E).
An adult ringed in Britain, now breeding in SW Holland. Ringed as pullus on 09 July 1994 at Woodbridge, Suffolk, GB (52° 4' 47, 1° 34' 12). This is exactly opposite of Maasvlakte!
It's not uncommon to find breeding LBBG wearing foreign rings in the colony. So
far the following birds were found:
- Blue colour ringed
from S Norway (intermedius).
- Metal ringed from Britain (graellsii).
- Metal ringed from Belgium (graellsii).
The head is rounded and it shows a friendly facial expression, indicating it's a female. Nevertheless, the mirror on p10 is well-developed. The scapulars are very fresh and still show the paler grey fringe. Oldest feathers can be found in the inner median and greater coverts, which have wear on the fringe and turned a hint browner than the fresh grey scapulars and coverts. For differences on grey tone and brown hue in various LBBG populations, see Barth's research from the 60's.