Mediterranean Gull 4HV 7cy, August 10 2004, Le Portel /Boulogne-sur-Mer, France (50.42N,1.34E).
This individual shows white outer primaries with just a black streak along the outer-web, adult all white-grey plumage and black patches on the head. Typical adult bare part coloration: Iris dark brown, the red orbital ring turns brownish, the bill is red with a black bill-band. The legs are dull reddish.
From late summer to September, a complete moult takes place, bringing birds into so-called "adult winter" plumage. After the complete moult, birds show a blackish mask behind the eye. The mantle, scapulars, tertials and all the wing-coverts have been replaced for plain pale grey feathers.
The secondaries are completely white. The new 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 are completely white.
Ring readings:
- 4HV Right as >3CY (metal: NLA 3.559.332) on May 25 2001 at Zeebrugge, Achterhaven, BELGIUM (51,19N 03,12E), originally ringed as pullus at Hellegatsplaten, the Netherlands, June 12 1998.
- 24/07/01 Boulogne-sur-Mer, Plage, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE 50,44N 1,36E
- | 14x
- 03/11/01 Boulogne-sur-Mer, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE 50,43N 1,37E
- 28/12/01 Playa San Lorenzo, Gijon, SPAIN 43,32N 5,39E
- 07/04/02 Zandvlietsluis (new colony), Antwerpen, BELGIUM 51,2N 4,17E
- | 2x
- 21/06/02 Zandvlietsluis (new colony), Antwerpen, BELGIUM 51,2N 4,17E
- 30/07/02 Le Portel, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE 50,42N 1,34E
- | 1x
- 10/09/02 Le Portel, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE 50,42N 1,34E
- 29/11/02 Playa San Lorenzo, Gijon, SPAIN 43,32N 5,39E
- | 6x
- 25/02/03 Playa San Lorenzo, Gijon, SPAIN 43,32N 5,39E
- 25/02/03 Zandvlietsluis (new colony), Antwerpen, BELGIUM 51,2N 4,17E
- | 2x
- 04/04/03 Zandvlietsluis (new colony), Antwerpen, BELGIUM 51,2N 4,17E
- 13/07/03 Le Portel, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE 50,42N 1,34E
- | 4x
- 11/08/03 Le Portel, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE 50,42N 1,34E
|
Mediterranean Gull (L. melanocephalus)