Mediterranean Gull (L. melanocephalus)

(last update: June 11, 2012 )

Mediterranean Gull 16cy 3E13 July & August 2012, Le Portel / Boulogne-sur-Mer, NW France. Picture: Jean-Michel Sauvage.

3E13 white (was white 38C and white 5HK), ringed as pullus in Belgium, 01 June 1997. Ringing data:

Very long life history, as this bird has been retrapped three times.
Pullus ringed 01 June 1997 at Kwaadmechelen, Limburg, BELGIUM (white 38C)
Retrapped on 19 May 2001 at Zandvlietsluis, Antwerpen, BELGIUM (new ring "White 5HK").
Retrapped on 17 June 2006 at Zandvlietsluis, Antwerpen, BELGIUM (new ring "White 3E13").
Numerous reoveries (over 600 observations!) often from Le Portel. Also reported in Belgium and Holland:
04/06/1998 Zeebrugge Achterhaven, West-Vlaanderen, BELGIUM
14/03/2000 Zandvlietsluis, Antwerpen, BELGIUM
21/03/2000 Zandvlietsluis, Antwerpen, BELGIUM
01/04/2001 Zandvlietsluis, Antwerpen, BELGIUM
19/05/2001 Zandvlietsluis, Antwerpen, BELGIUM (new ring 5HK)
17/06/2006 Zandvlietsluis, Antwerpen, BELGIUM (new ring 3E13)
From 14 March 2008 until 23 March 2008 at Zwijndrecht (Ineos complex), Antwerpen
From 23 April 2008 until 23 June 2008 at Noordelijk Insteekdok, Oost-Vlaanderen, BELGIUM
30 March 2011 until 08 April 2011 at Total, Antwerpen, province of Antwerpen, BELGIUM
12 May 2011 at de Braakman, near Terneuzen, Zeeuws-Vlaanderen, NL .

below: 16cy 3E13 August 25 2012, Le Portel / Boulogne-sur-Mer, NW France. Picture: Jean-Michel Sauvage.

From June to September, a complete moult takes place, into so-called "adult winter" plumage. The head pattern resembles the pattern in first winter birds, with blackish mask behind the eye. The mantle, scapulars, tertials and all the wing-coverts are replaced for plain pearl-grey feathers. The secondaries are completely white. The adult primaries are shiny pearly-grey, flashing white at a distance. There is a black line along the outer-web of P10 (and sometimes on P9 as well). Secondaries, under-wing and tail all completely white. The bare part coloration in adult plumage: Iris brown, orbital ring red or orangey-red, the bill red or orangey-red with a black bill-band and a yellowish tip and the legs dull reddish or dark. There is some variation in 3cy and 4cy wing-tip patterns.

below: 16cy 3E13 July 03 2012, Le Portel / Boulogne-sur-Mer, NW France. Picture: Jean-Michel Sauvage.