Mediterranean Gull (L. melanocephalus)

(last update: June 11, 2012 )

Mediterranean Gull 3cy AHSJ December 08 2010, Le Portel / Boulogne-sur-Mer, NW France. Picture: Jean-Michel Sauvage.

Ringing data: ringed Green AHSJ. Colour-ringed pullus on 14 June 2008. Ringing Place: Pionierinsel Lühe, Germany (53° 35' N, 9° 36' E).

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.

The partial moult in Mediterranean Gull is from December to March-April and includes body and head, leaving birds in so-called "adult summer" plumage. The head develops a jet-black hood, extending down the nape. Adult birds have broad and contrasting white crescents above and below the eye. The bare part coloration in adult plumage: Iris brown, orbital ring coral red, the bill scarlet red often with a thin black bill-band and a yellowish tip and the legs red.

Life history:

Ringing 14 June 2008 at Pionierinsel luhe / Niedersachsen,Germany (53.35N 09.36E)
13.03.2009 Cop point,Folkestone.
30.04.2009 Oye-Plage (colonie) Pas-de-Calais;Fr
Du 08.07.2009 au 25.07.2009 Le-Portel,Pas-de-Calais;Fr
06.03.2010 Folkestone,Kent,GB
20.032010 Pannel Valley,Scrape,Icklesham,Sussex
20.06.2010 Le Portel
30.06.2010 Dungeness,GB
? ? ?
08.12.2010 Le-Portel.