nominate Lesser Black-backed Gull (L. f. fuscus)

(last update: 16-11-2009)

Larus fuscus fuscus 5cy CAW1, August 2002 & July 2003, Tampere, Finland (61.33N 24.59E).

CAW1 was ringed in Kanala, Finland (61,54N 24,32E); ringed as pullus on June 30 1998. Hand when ringed: 262 mm. 
Ring records at Tampere landfill:
2001: 19 records from 2001-06-09 until 2001-08-16,
2002: 22 records from 2002-05-12 until 2002-08-09,
2003: 20 records from 2003-05-15 until 2003-08-09.

Ringed as pullus at Kanala, Finland on June 30 1998, now in 5cy. In the greater coverts, one covert stand out as obviously bleached, not included in the last moult wave. Note the relatively fresh, small white tips on the outer primaries and the small mirror on P10.

(image above) fuscus (5cy) CAW1, August 06 2002, Tampere, Finland.

(2 images below) fuscus (6cy) CAW1, July 12-15 2003, Tampere, Finland.

CAW1, now in 6cy. Typical fuscus features: the small size, the slender bill, the dark upper-parts which turn brown hued when older and worn, the lack of moult in the scapulars, wing-coverts and the primaries and the small white tips on the outer primaries, which wear away quickly. The basic moult hasn't started yet, as all inner primaries are still present. At the wintering grounds, the inner primaries P1-P5 were moulted and now appear fresher than the outer primaries P6-P10. Note the strong brown hue on the upper scapulars and inner greater coverts and compare with the cold dark grey fresh central median coverts.

See also: CAW3.