Mediterranean Gull K51 adult, February 06 2003, Le Portel /Boulogne-sur-Mer, France (50.42N,1.34E).

This individual is ringed: right green K51. From late summer to September, a complete moult took place, bringing birds into so-called "adult winter" plumage. The head pattern in wintering bird resembles "first winter plumage" after finishing the complete moult: a blackish mask behind the eye. 

The next moult in Mediterranean Gull is again a partial moult, from January to April, and includes body and head, leaving birds in so-called "adult summer" plumage from early April onwards. The head develops a jet-black hood, extending down the nape. Adult birds have broad white crescents above and below the eye.
The secondaries are completely white. The adult primaries are shiny pearly-grey, flashing white at a distance. There is a black line along the outer-web of P10. The secondaries, the under-wing and the tail are completely white. The bare part coloration by February: Iris brown, orbital ring red or orangey-red, the bill red or orangey-red with a black bill-band (and a yellowish tip) and the legs dull reddish or dark.

Ring readings:

• K51 Right as >3CY  (metal: Paris FS 37318) on December 16 2001 at Le Portel, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE (50,42N 1,34E)
• 21/12/01  Le Portel, Parking Roro, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE  50,44N 1,35E 
• 27/12/01  Le Portel, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE  50,42N 1,34E
• 10/01/02  Le Portel, Plage Nord, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE  50,43N 1,34E
• 21/02/02  Le Portel, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE  50,42N 1,34E
• 07/03/02  Le Portel, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE  50,42N 1,34E
• 09/03/02  Le Portel, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE  50,42N 1,34E
• 23/03/02  Le Portel, Plage Nord, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE  50,43N 1,34E
• 12/08/02  Le Portel, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE  50,42N 1,34E
• 13/08/02  Le Portel, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE  50,42N 1,34E 
• 21/08/02  Le Portel, Rochers Sud, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE  50,42N 1,34E
• 22/08/02  Le Portel, Rochers Sud, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE  50,42N 1,34E
• 24/08/02  Le Portel, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE  50,42N 1,34E
• 10/09/02  Wimereux, Plage Nord, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE  50,46N 1,37E
• 11/09/02  Wimereux, Plage Nord, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE  50,46N 1,37E
• 06/02/03  Le Portel, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE  50,42N 1,34E
• 07/02/03  Le Portel, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE  50,42N 1,34E
• 10/02/03  Le Portel, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE  50,42N 1,34E
• 20/02/03  Le Portel, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE  50,42N 1,34E
• 25/03/03  Wimereux, Plage Nord, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE  50,46N 1,37E