Ies Meulmeester RSS feed

Yellow-legged Gull, Etaples

iesmeulmeester@solcon.nl(Ies Meulmeester) — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 21:04:28 +0100

Note the "apical spots" on the outer webs of p2-4.

Yellow-legged Gull, Etaples

iesmeulmeester@solcon.nl(Ies Meulmeester) — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 20:37:00 +0100

Nearly all scapulars are moulted to second generation feathers, all other wing-coverts are still juvenile.

Yellow-legged Gull, Etaples

iesmeulmeester@solcon.nl(Ies Meulmeester) — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 20:30:36 +0100

A small and slender build 1cy Yellow-legged Gull. Note the pattern of the scapulars, and especially on the lower ones; the black anchor is indistinct and feathers are very plain gray which resembling to a pattern showing by some Caspian Gulls.

Yellow-legged Gull, Etaples

iesmeulmeester@solcon.nl(Ies Meulmeester) — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 20:18:58 +0100

All wing-coverts and tertials are still juvenile. The whitish patterns and markings on nearly all greater, median and lesser-coverts are worn and the feathers are rather brown and bleached, so most of the coverts shows an extensive dark central reaching to the edge of the feather with small white fringes.

Yellow-legged Gull, Etaples

iesmeulmeester@solcon.nl(Ies Meulmeester) — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 20:12:20 +0100

An individual with some staining from rubbish on their head and legs. Note the pale red/brownish color of the juvenile wing-coverts. Nearly all scapulars, two inner greater-coverts and a few median/lesser-coverts are replaced by second generation feathers.

Yellow-legged Gull, Etaples

iesmeulmeester@solcon.nl(Ies Meulmeester) — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 20:01:46 +0100

This 1cy Yellow-legged Gull shows the same pattern on the second generation scapulars as this individual. Also this individual is actively moulting their wing-coverts; the upper-most tertial, some inner greater-coverts, most median coverts and a few lesser coverts have been replaced by second generation wing-coverts.

Yellow-legged Gull, Etaples

iesmeulmeester@solcon.nl(Ies Meulmeester) — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 19:54:45 +0100

Note the prominent white barring on the greater-coverts and the tertials.

Yellow-legged Gull, Westkapelle - sea dike

iesmeulmeester@solcon.nl(Ies Meulmeester) — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 19:49:53 +0100

Pictures of two different adult Yellow-Legged Gulls resting in very hot weather, the first picture is taken on 15 July 2009 and the second on 16 July 2009. Note the old generation wing-coverts which are all abraded at the fringes and the worn primaries.

Yellow-legged Gull, Westkapelle - sea dike

iesmeulmeester@solcon.nl(Ies Meulmeester) — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 20:41:47 +0100

Three different 4cy Yellow-legged Gulls. The first picture is taken on 15 November 2008, the second on 30 October 2009 and the last on 2 September 2009. All three birds are similar to 5cy+ Yellow-legged Gulls, but note the large amount of black on the bill and the dull yellowish legs (and base of the bill). The last one is closer to an adult type Yellow-legged Gull than the two above but note that the picture is taken more than two months earlier. Note especially the primary moult and the old outer primaries which give a good indication to age.

Yellow-legged Gull, Westkapelle - sea dike

iesmeulmeester@solcon.nl(Ies Meulmeester) — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 09:58:57 +0100

Pictures of two different 3cy Yellow-legged Gulls. The first picture is taken on 30 October 2009 and the second picture on 10 November 2008. In both individuals note the black bands on the gonys and black markings on the bill. All primaries are renewed and nearly all tail feathers are complete white.

Yellow-legged Gull, Westkapelle - sea dike

iesmeulmeester@solcon.nl(Ies Meulmeester) — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 09:07:02 +0100

The tertials, outer primaries and especially the old wing-coverts are very worn. The relative recent replaced inner median-covert and upper-tertials are worn again. Note also the slightly dark peppered iris and the black on the gonys of the bill.

Yellow-legged Gull, Westkapelle - sea dike

iesmeulmeester@solcon.nl(Ies Meulmeester) — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 20:57:38 +0100

An unringed 2cy Yellow-legged Gull. Note that the bill colour become pinkish especially on the base and upper mandible.

Yellow-legged Gull, Westkapelle - sea dike

iesmeulmeester@solcon.nl(Ies Meulmeester) — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 20:42:36 +0100

Note the dark gray upper-parts in comparison with the adult Herring Gull right in the background. Nearly all scapulars, most median coverts, a few lesser coverts, the innermost greater coverts and upper tertial are replaced for grayish adult-like(probably fourth generation) feathers.

Yellow-legged Gull, Westkapelle - sea dike

iesmeulmeester@solcon.nl(Ies Meulmeester) — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 20:28:27 +0100

Three different individuals from that day. Note the difference in moulted gray adult-like scapulars, coverts and tertials between the 2cy Yellow-legged Gull at the top, and the 2cy Yellow-legged Gull on the picture at the bottom of the page.

Yellow-legged Gull, Westkapelle - sea dike

iesmeulmeester@solcon.nl(Ies Meulmeester) — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 20:29:26 +0100

Note the very typical pattern and coloring of the coverts and tertials. A few scapulars have been replaced by second generation feathers which show a very dark (double) anchor pattern contrasting with the white buffish base.

Yellow-legged Gull, Westkapelle - sea dike

iesmeulmeester@solcon.nl(Ies Meulmeester) — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

The first juvenile gulls on the sea dike of Westkapelle are mostly Yellow-legged Gulls, as with this gull. Note the very fresh juvenile plumage. The greater coverts are well barred, but the bill-shape, head pattern, pattern on the tertials, coverts and scapulars, long pointed wing without white primary tips and the dark red-brown base-color of the coverts are good character of a juvenile michahellis.

Yellow-legged Gull, Westkapelle - sea dike

iesmeulmeester@solcon.nl(Ies Meulmeester) — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

This male(based on size and build) Yellow-legged Gull have replaced all scapulars to second generation feathers, also a few median and lesser coverts, some inner greater coverts(one in the left wing and two in the right wing) and one new tertial(tt2). Note the dark grey color of the new second generation scapulars and coverts.

Caspian Gull, Westkapelle - sea dike

iesmeulmeester@solcon.nl(Ies Meulmeester) — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 21:34:24 +0100

Classic view of a 2cy Caspian Gull from Poland, compare with this ringed 2cy from 2007. The same conclusion which I made with the linked 2cy of 2007 is applicable to this bird. But especially note on this individual the atypical build, head and bill shape. The median and lesser coverts show very dark centre and the greater coverts are very fine barred.

Lesser Black-backed Gull, Westkapelle - sea dike

iesmeulmeester@solcon.nl(Ies Meulmeester) — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 13:44:05 +0100

A first calender year intermedius from Denmark. Note the fresh condition of the juvenile plumage. The upper scapulars has been replaced by second generation feathers and a few median and lesser coverts are dropped.

Lesser Black-backed Gull, Westkapelle - sea dike

iesmeulmeester@solcon.nl(Ies Meulmeester) — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 09:57:11 +0100

A first calender year "Dutch intergrades" which is ringed at the Moerdijk. Most feathers are still juvenile, only a few upper scapulars have been replaced by second generation feathers.