(three images) LBBG E832 7cy, June 17 2001, Missouriweg Maasvlakte, the Netherlands (51.59N,04.02E). 

Mid-June in the colonies of Maasvlakte: eggs are hatched, many nests contain 3 nestlings and pulli can be found everywhere. First data estimate the colony to be expanded by over 20% in year 2001, now approximately 40,000 nests in the "greater Rotterdam area" (Europoort).

In this picture, female E832 left orange, ringed at the nest at Maasvlakte 09 July 1995, now in her 6th summer and raising three pulls.
Note the fresh tertials and the inner greater coverts. Note the colour of the iris, which is not as bright yellow as in many adults, rather pale whitish.
Raising the chicks involves much energy and the moult is completely suspended during the first weeks. There are no moult gaps in the scapulars and coverts. As can be seen in the top picture, a few scapulars and coverts stand out as plain grey, without a brown hue. Other feathers do show a brown hue and show simultaneous wear in the fringes and the differences in wear may indicate the moult strategy last autumn. Note e.g. the inner median coverts and the central greater coverts.

The bottom pictures to compare this female in 5cy and in 8cy.

LBBG adult E832 5cy, Maasvlakte, the Netherlands, April 14 1999. Photo by Pim Wolf.


The same adult female ringed left orange E832, in 5cy (4th summer plumage).

adult LBBG E832 8cy, April 29 2002, Missouriweg Maasvlakte, the Netherlands (51.59N,04.02E).