Herring Gull- Zilvermeeuw (argentatus & argenteus)

(last update: December 15, 2011 )

Herring Gull - 2cy May

Introduction

This website deals with the Herring Gulls of the taxa argentatus and argenteus. Argenteus is an abundant breeding species on Iceland, Britain, NW France, Belgium, the Netherlands and N Germany. The taxon argentatus breeds in NE Europe, from Denmark, the coast of the Baltic Sea, Scandinavia and coast of the White Sea. In the centre of the breeding range (Denmark and the NW German coast), birds show intermediate characteristics, indicating there is a cline in argenteus-argentatus. Argenteus in Western Europe is pale-backed, slightly smaller and with relatively much black in the wing-tip; argentatus in the NE Europe is larger, slightly darker on upper-parts and show less black in the wing-tip.
Due to the large breeding range, there is much intra-specific variation in argentatus, with most large, powerful birds in the northern populations, showing the most darkest upper-parts, longest wing and most white in the outer-wing. In this region, some populations may hold substantial number of yellow-legged argentatus. (referred to as "Finnmark yellow-legged argentatus"). In adult plumage, the black sub-terminal spot on P5 is often lacking or strongly reduced to a diffuse streak, broken at the centre. Sometimes P6 lacks black as well. 
In the Baltic region, other yellow-legged argentatus populations occur ("Baltic yellow-legged argentatus"), with adults showing even brighter yellow legs in summer and the upper-parts only slightly darker than West European argenteus, still much paler than Yellow-legged Gull (michahellis). Those Baltic argentatus often show a black sub-terminal spot on P5 in adult plumage.
On these web-pages, we largely follow P.J. Grant: "Gulls, a guide to identification" and E.K Barth's publication as Contribution No. 86, Zoological Museum, University of Oslo: "The circumpolar systematics of Larus argentatus and Larus fuscus with special reference to the Norwegian populations".

2cy Herring Gull May: tables and charts

Table 1: 2cy Herring Gull primary scores May 2001-2002 (n = 299). Remaining old primaries (e.g. 7 = P4-P10 old; P1-P3 active moult to 2nd generation). Surveys from Scheveningen harbour, except May 17, which is from Boulogne-sur-Mer, NW France. 
. 20.04 22.04 27.04 03.05 04.05 08.05 11.05 15.05 17.05 26.05 28.05 03.06
4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 3
5 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 2 3 11
6 0 0 0 2 1 0 3 3 27 6 12 16
7 0 0 2 3 0 1 5 15 36 3 15 3
8 2 3 5 17 5 12 7 23 8 3 4 4
9 11 7 8 19 2 19 1 6 2 0 0 0
10 42 34 37 13 3 9 1 3 0 0 0 0

n =

55 44 52 54 11 41 18 50 75 14 36 37
av old P's 9,7 9,7 9,5 8,7 8,5 8,9 7,4 7,8 6,7 6,5 6,4 5,8
95% CID 0,1 0,2 0,2 0,3 0,8 0,2 0,6 0,3 0,2 0,6 0,3 0,4
SD (s) 0,5 0,6 0,8 1,0 1,2 0,8 1,2 0,9 0,8 1,0 1,0 1,1
% 's   4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 8
5 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 3 14 8 30
6 0 0 0 4 9 0 17 6 36 43 33 43
7 0 0 4 6 0 2 28 30 48 21 42 8
8 4 7 10 31 45 29 39 46 11 21 11 11
9 20 16 15 35 18 46 6 12 3 0 0 0
10 76 77 71 24 27 22 6 6 0 0 0 0

Notes: CID:  (Confidence Interval of the Difference); SD: Standard Deviation.

May Chart 1 (below): 2cy HG primary scores for May in 2002, except May 11 & 26 from 2001 (n = 299; late April, early June excluded). Data as in table 1. Chart 1 shows the early primary moult stage for 2cy Herring Gull; the complete spring - summer figure is plotted in chart 2.

The charts show the "Remaining Old Primaries".

rings argenteus: U.K.


2cy argentatus in Jan-Febr, ringed in Russia.Herring Gull (argenteus) GR 15426 2cy, May 31 - June 01 2012, Boulogne/Mer, France (50.42N,1.34E). Picture: J-M Sauvage.
2cy argenteus in March, ringed in Belgium. (63421 bytes)Herring Gull (argenteus) YYK 2CY, May 22 2011, Oostende, Belgium. Picture: Peter Adriaens.
Herring GullHerring Gull (argenteus) A5GR 2cy, May 14 2008, Boulogne/Mer, France (50.42N,1.34E). Picture: J-M Sauvage.
2cy argenteus in March, ringed in Belgium. (63421 bytes)Herring Gull AJ5T 2CY, May 01 2011, Nieuwpoort, Belgium. Picture: Peter Adriaens.
2cy argenteus in March, ringed in Belgium. (63421 bytes)Herring Gull PD4T 2CY, May 17 2009, Koksijde, Belgium. Picture: Peter Adriaens.
2cy argenteus in March, ringed in Belgium. (63421 bytes)Herring Gull WD4T 2CY, May 17 2009, Koksijde, Belgium. Picture: Peter Adriaens. 
1cy argenteus in November, ringed in Belgium. (25637 bytes)Herring Gull (argenteus) YR8.T 2cy-3cy, May 2011 & October 2012, Boulogne/Mer, France . Picture: J-M Sauvage.
rings argenteus: France
2cy argenteus in May, ringed in France. (63504 bytes)Herring Gull (argenteus) DA-216323 2cy, May 16 2002, Boulogne/Mer, France (50.42N, 1.34E).
2cy argenteus in May, ringed in France. (71170 bytes)Herring Gull (argenteus) DA-216321 2cy, May 16 2002, Boulogne/Mer, France (50.42N, 1.34E).
rings argenteus: Belgium
2cy argentatus in May, ringed in Denmark. (64659 bytes)Herring Gull (argenteus) PUAY 2CY, May 22 2011 & June 04 2011, Oostende, Belgium. Picture: Peter Adriaens. 
2cy argenteus in March, ringed in Belgium. (63421 bytes)Herring Gull (argenteus) SVAA 2CY, May 07 2012, Koksijde, Belgium. Picture: Peter Adriaens. 
2cy argenteus in May, ringed in Belgium. (54270 bytes)Herring Gull H-117394 2cy (argenteus), May 16 2002, Boulogne/Mer, France (50.42N,1.34E).
2cy argenteus in May, ringed in Belgium. (43277 bytes)Herring Gull H-117661 2cy (argenteus), May 16 2002, Boulogne/Mer, France (50.42N, 1.34E).
rings argenteus: the Netherlands
1cy argenteus in August, ringed in Belgium. (90559 bytes)Herring Gull Y.ALM adult (argenteus), May 08 2010, Leiden, the Netherlands.
2cy argentatus in February, ringed in Norway. (75189 bytes)Herring Gull (argenteus) Y.BMD 1CY-4CY, August 2013 - April 2016, IJmuiden, the Netherlands.
1cy argenteus in August, ringed in Belgium. (90559 bytes)Herring Gull (argenteus) Y.CDN 1CY-2CY, August 2016, May & June 2017, Katwijk & Heemskerk, the Netherlands.
2cy argentatus in February, ringed in Norway. (75189 bytes)Herring Gull (argenteus) Y.CSH 2CY, May 11 2019, Katwijk beach, the Netherlands.
2cy argentatus in February, ringed in Norway. (75189 bytes)Herring Gull (argenteus) K.BKX 2CY & 4CY, May 2015 & May 2017, Den Helder & Hoornderslag - Texel, the Netherlands.
Herring GullHerring Gull (argenteus) K.BMF 1CY-4CY, September 2014 - January 2017, Den Haag - Scheveningen, the Netherlands. 
3cy argenteus in May, ringed in Belgium. (71617 bytes) Herring Gull D8 2CY, May 24 2016, Katwijk aan Zee, the Netherlands.
2cy argentatus in November. (81321 bytes)Herring Gull argenteus 0|G 1CY-2CY, October 2018 & January - May 2019, Katwijk, the Netherlands.
Herring Gull (argenteus) 1|5 2CY, May 24 2019, Katwijk beach, the Netherlands.
Herring Gull (argenteus) 1|A 2CY, May 22-28 2019, Katwijk beach, the Netherlands.
Herring Gull (argenteus) 1|D 2CY, May 24-28 2019, Katwijk beach, the Netherlands.
Herring Gull (argenteus) 1|L 2CY, May 26 & October 02 2019, Katwijk & Zandmotor, the Netherlands.
Herring Gull (argenteus) A|+ 2CY, May 22-28 2019, Katwijk beach, the Netherlands.
Herring Gull (argenteus) F|4 2CY, February & May 2019, Scheveningen & Katwijk, the Netherlands.
Herring Gull F|R 2CY, February & May 2019, Katwijk, the Netherlands.
Herring Gull (argenteus) H|9 2CY, May 26-28 2019, Katwijk, the Netherlands.
Herring Gull (argenteus) J|X 2CY, February & May 2019, Katwijk, the Netherlands.
Herring Gull (argenteus) K|1 2CY, May 28 2019, Katwijk, the Netherlands.
Herring Gull (argenteus) K|2 2CY, May 24 2019, Katwijk, the Netherlands.
Herring Gull (argenteus) K|R 2CY, May 24-28 2019, Katwijk, the Netherlands.
Herring Gull (argenteus) K|U 2CY, May 24-27 2019, Katwijk, the Netherlands.
Herring Gull (argenteus) L|Y 2CY, May 24 2019, Katwijk, the Netherlands.
Herring Gull (argenteus) M|Z 2CY, May 26-28 2019, Katwijk, the Netherlands.
Herring Gull (argenteus) N|H 2CY, May 24-26 2019, Katwijk, the Netherlands.
Herring Gull (argenteus) P|K 2CY, May 28 2019, Katwijk, the Netherlands.
Herring Gull (argenteus) R|Z 2CY, May 24 2019, Katwijk, the Netherlands.
1cy argenteus in August, ringed in Belgium. (90559 bytes)Herring Gull argenteus C||+ 1CY-2CY, December 2016 & April - October 2017, IJmuiden & Heemskerk, the Netherlands.
2cy argentatus in February, ringed in Norway. (75189 bytes)Herring Gull (argenteus) D||B 2CY, May 02 2017, Oudeschild - Texel, the Netherlands.
1cy argenteus in August, ringed in Belgium. (90559 bytes)Herring Gull argenteus NLA 5.465.247 2CY, May 11 2017, Katwijk, the Netherlands.
rings argentatus: Germany
Herring GullHerring Gull (argentatus) HAXLR 2CY, March & May 2019, Katwijk beach, the Netherlands.
2cy argentatus in February, ringed in Norway. (75189 bytes)Herring Gull (argentatus) HCV1 2CY, May 23 2019, Katwijk beach, the Netherlands.
2cy argentatus in February, ringed in Norway. (75189 bytes)Herring Gull (argenteus) AX06 2CY, May 28 2019, Katwijk beach, the Netherlands.
2cy argentatus in May, ringed in Denmark. (64659 bytes)Herring Gull 4284031 2cy (argentatus), May 02 2003, Boulogne/Mer, NW France.
rings argentatus: Denmark
2cy argentatus in May, ringed in Denmark. (64659 bytes)Herring Gull VF5J (argentatus) 2011-2012, Finland. Pictures: Visa Rauste.
2cy argentatus in May, ringed in Denmark. (64659 bytes)Herring Gull argentatus VALX 2CY, May 21 2011, Ämmässuo dump, Espoo, S Finland. Picture: Visa Rauste.
2cy argentatus in February, ringed in Norway. (75189 bytes)Herring Gull (argentatus) DKC 4402982 2CY, May 02 2017, Oudeschild - Texel, the Netherlands.
2cy argentatus in February, ringed in Norway. (75189 bytes)Herring Gull (argentatus) DKC 4403893 2CY, May 10 2016, Katwijk, the Netherlands.
2cy argentatus in February, ringed in Norway. (75189 bytes)Herring Gull (argentatus) DKC 4422761 2CY, May 22-26 2019, Katwijk beach, the Netherlands.
rings argentatus: Norway
Herring Gull argentatus J8693 2CY, March & May 2015, Vest-Agder, Norway. Picture: Nils Helge Lorentzen.
Herring Gull argentatus JAA36 2CY, March & May 2015, Vest-Agder, Norway. Picture: Nils Helge Lorentzen.
Herring Gull argentatus JAC78 2CY, March & May 2015, Vest-Agder, Norway. Picture: Nils Helge Lorentzen.
Herring Gull argentatus JAE07 2CY, May 24 2015, Vest-Agder, Norway. Picture: Nils Helge Lorentzen.
Herring Gull argentatus JAE55 2CY, May 08 2015, Vest-Agder, Norway. Picture: Nils Helge Lorentzen.
Herring Gull argentatus JAL03 2CY, May 08 2015, Vest-Agder, Norway. Picture: Nils Helge Lorentzen.
2cy argentatus in February, ringed in Norway. (75189 bytes)Herring Gull (argentatus) JJX55 2CY, May 23 2019, Katwijk beach, the Netherlands.
rings argentatus: Finland
Herring Gull argentatus C5N03 2CY, April - September 2007, Tampere dump, Finland. Picture: Visa Rauste.
rings argentatus: Russia
2cy argentatus in Jan-Febr, ringed in Russia.Herring Gull KH89 2cy (argentatus), May 09 2010, IJmuiden, the Netherlands.
unringed 2cy Herring Gulls
2cy argentatus in Jan-Febr, ringed in Russia.Herring Gull 2CY, May 09 2014, Katwijk, the Netherlands.
2cy argentatus in Jan-Febr, ringed in Russia.Herring Gull argenteus 2CY, May 09 2014, Katwijk, the Netherlands.
2cy argentatus in Jan-Febr, ringed in Russia.Herring Gull 2CY, May 09 2014, Katwijk, the Netherlands.
2cy argentatus in Jan-Febr, ringed in Russia.Herring Gull 2CY, May 22 2014, Katwijk, the Netherlands.
2cy argentatus in Jan-Febr, ringed in Russia.Herring Gull 2CY, May 22 2014, Katwijk, the Netherlands.
2cy argentatus in Jan-Febr, ringed in Russia.Herring Gull 2CY, May 09 2014, Katwijk, the Netherlands.
2cy argentatus in Jan-Febr, ringed in Russia.Herring Gull argenteus 2CY, May 13 2014, Katwijk, the Netherlands.
2cy argentatus in Jan-Febr, ringed in Russia.Herring Gull argenteus 2CY, May 13 2014, Katwijk, the Netherlands.
2cy argentatus in Jan-Febr, ringed in Russia.Herring Gull argenteus 2CY, May 13 2014, Katwijk, the Netherlands.
2cy argentatus in Jan-Febr, ringed in Russia.Herring Gull 2CY, May 09 2014, Katwijk, the Netherlands.
2cy argentatus in Jan-Febr, ringed in Russia.Herring Gull 2CY, May 09 2014, Katwijk, the Netherlands.
2cy argentatus in Jan-Febr, ringed in Russia.Herring Gull 2CY, May 09 2014, Katwijk, the Netherlands.
2cy argentatus in Jan-Febr, ringed in Russia.Herring Gull 2CY, May 09 2014, Katwijk, the Netherlands.
2cy argentatus in Jan-Febr, ringed in Russia.Herring Gull 2CY, May 09 2014, Katwijk, the Netherlands.
2cy argentatus in Jan-Febr, ringed in Russia.Herring Gull 2CY, May 13 2014, Katwijk, the Netherlands.
Herring Gull 2cy, May 05 2013, Brouwersdam, the Netherlands.
Herring Gull 2cy, May 05 2013, Brouwersdam, the Netherlands.