Mediterranean Gull K42 adult, February 07 2003, Le Portel /Boulogne-sur-Mer, France (50.42N,1.34E).

These two individuals are ringed: right green K42 and right green 3JP5. From late summer to September, a complete moult took place, bringing adult Mediterranean Gulls 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 a partial moult, from January to April, and includes body and head, leaving birds in so-called "adult summer" plumage from early April onwards. However, some birds may develop a black hood from late February onwards. The head shows a jet-black hood, slightly 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:

• K42 Right as 2CY (metal: Paris FS 37312) on December 16 2001 at Le Portel, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE (50,42N 1,34E)
• 21/02/02  Le Portel, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE  50,42N 1,34E 
• 08/04/02  Zandvlietsluis (new colony), Antwerpen, BELGIUM  51,2N 4,17E 
• 09/04/02  Zandvlietsluis (new colony), Antwerpen, BELGIUM  51,2N 4,17E
• 13/04/02  Zandvlietsluis (new colony), Antwerpen, BELGIUM  51,2N 4,17E
• 16/04/02  Zandvlietsluis (new colony), Antwerpen, BELGIUM  51,2N 4,17E
• 17/04/02  Zandvlietsluis (new colony), Antwerpen, BELGIUM  51,2N 4,17E
• 18/04/02  Zandvlietsluis (new colony), Antwerpen, BELGIUM  51,2N 4,17E
• 20/04/02  Zandvlietsluis (new colony), Antwerpen, BELGIUM  51,2N 4,17E
• 21/04/02  Zandvlietsluis (new colony), Antwerpen, BELGIUM  51,2N 4,17E
• 27/04/02  Zandvlietsluis (new colony), Antwerpen, BELGIUM  51,2N 4,17E
• 16/06/02  Zandvlietsluis (new colony), Antwerpen, BELGIUM  51,2N 4,17E
• 02/07/02  Zandvlietsluis (new colony), Antwerpen, BELGIUM  51,2N 4,17E
• 16/07/02  Le Portel, Rochers Sud, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE  50,42N 1,34E
• 31/07/02  Le Portel, Rochers Sud, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE  50,42N 1,34E
• 13/08/02  Le Portel, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE  50,42N 1,34E
• 13/10/02  Wimereux, Plage Nord, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE  50,46N 1,37E
• 18/12/02  Le Portel, Centre Ville, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE  50,44N 1,34E
• 16/01/03  Le Portel, Quai de la Vierge, Pas-de-Calais, France  50,42N 1,34E
• 07/02/03  Le Portel, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE  50,42N 1,34E 
• 14/02/03  Le Portel, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE  50,42N 1,34E
• 25/02/03  Le Portel, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE  50,42N 1,34E

• 3JP5 Right as 3CY (metal: Bruxelles 7T03498) on May 29 2002 at Zandvlietsluis (new colony), Antwerpen, BELGIUM (51,2N 4,17E) with black on P6-P10, female according bill.
• 16/07/02  Le Portel, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE  50,42N 1,34E
• 31/07/02  Le Portel, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE  50,42N 1,34E
• 07/08/02  Wimereux, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE  50,46N 1,37E
• 08/08/02  Le Portel, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE  50,42N 1,34E 
• 10/08/02  Boulogne-sur-Mer, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE  50,43N 1,37E
• 13/08/02  Le Portel, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE  50,42N 1,34E 
• 22/08/02  Le Portel, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE  50,42N 1,34E
• 23/08/02  Le Portel, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE  50,42N 1,34E
• 24/08/02  Le Portel, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE  50,42N 1,34E 
• 10/09/02  Le Portel, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE  50,42N 1,34E
• 12/11/02  Le Portel, Parking Roro, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE  50,44N 1,35E 
• 13/11/02  Le Portel, Parking Roro, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE  50,44N 1,35E
• 07/02/03  Le Portel, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE  50,42N 1,34E
• 08/02/03  Le Portel, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE  50,42N 1,34E