Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus)

(last update: July 12, 2015)

Coordinators:
Jean-Michel Sauvage (France)
Morten Helberg (Norway)
Nils Helge Lorentzen (Norway)
Mars Muusse (Netherlands)

Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus) 1VV 1CY-3CY, November 2013 - July 2015, Dublin, Ireland. Picture: Graham Prole & Stephen Lawlor.

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Ringed on island Irelands Eye, near Dublin, summer 2013.

below: Larus marinus 1VV 1st cycle (1CY), November 15 2013, Sandycove, Dublin, Ireland. Picture: Stephen Lawlor.

Most upper scapulars replaced, coverts and tertials still juvenile.

below: Larus marinus 1VV 1st cycle (2CY), January 18 2014, Bullock Harbour, Ireland. Picture: Graham Prole.

At Bullock Harbour there were plenty of Great Black Backed and Herring Gulls. No foreign rings, but three from Irelands Eye, including blue 1VV. US=100%, LS=25-50%, TOT SCAPS=50-75%. Coverts and tertials juvenile.

below: Larus marinus 1VV 1st cycle (2CY), April 05 2014, Bullock Harbour, Ireland. Picture: Graham Prole.

below: Larus marinus 1VV moulting into 2nd cycle (2CY), August 03 2014, Bulloch Harbour, Ireland. Picture: Graham Prole.

P6/P10. Also active moult in rectrices.

below: Larus marinus 1VV moulting into 2nd cycle (2CY), August 23 2014, Bulloch Harbour, Ireland. Picture: Graham Prole.

P7/-.

below: Larus marinus 1VV 2nd cycle (3CY), February 17 2015, Dalkey, Dublin, Ireland. Picture: Stephen Lawlor.

Compare to the plumage in August, when all wing-coverts and tertials were replaced for 2nd gen feathers in the complete moult. A subsequent moult in fall "partial autumn moult" has included the upper tertials and some inner wing-coverts to be replaced again, now for 3rd gen feathers, contrasting to the older 2nd gen adjacent feathers. Here 3rd gen: TT1-2, GC1-3, MC2,6,8,9,11, LLC3,4,8,10, and about 4x LC.

below: Larus marinus 1VV 2nd cycle (3CY), February 19 2015, Dalkey, Dublin, Ireland. Picture: Graham Prole.

below: Larus marinus 1VV 2nd cycle (3CY), June 06 2015, Bullock harbour, Dublin, Ireland. Picture: Graham Prole.

Complete moult: P6-P10 old.

below: Larus marinus 1VV 2nd cycle (3CY), June 27 2015, Bullock harbour, Dublin, Ireland. Picture: Graham Prole.

Complete moult: P7-P10 old.

below: Larus marinus 1VV 2nd cycle (3CY), July 07 2015, Bullock harbour, Dublin, Ireland. Picture: Graham Prole.

Complete moult: P5/P8.

below: island Irelands Eye, near Dublin.