Gulls in NW Europe

(last update: September 25, 2011 )

Herring Gull 2cy 5.463.318 (argenteus) August-September 2011, IJmuiden, the Netherlands. Pictures: Maarten van Kleinwee.

Ringed in The Netherlands, probably taken into hospital for a while and released with ring.

below: 03 September 2011.

Second-calendar year Herring Gull, in second-winter (pre-basic, second cycle) plumage. Buffy coloured feathers now turning pale.

below: 07 August 2011.

Second-calendar year Herring Gull, moulting to second-winter (pre-basic, second cycle) plumage: all feathers seem to have been replaced by new generation feathers. The head is predominantly pale but with a dark eye mask and dark markings on top. Dark markings have appeared on the breast and lower body. The bill has a pink base and a black tip, the legs are pink.

below: 14 August 2011.

Second-calendar year Herring Gull, moulting to second-winter (pre-basic, second cycle) plumage: all feathers seem to have been replaced by new generation feathers. P10 is now almost fully grown. Light-grey feathers have started to appear on the scapulars. The head is predominantly light but with a dark eye mask and dark markings on top. Dark markings have appeared on the breast, flanks and lower body.