Ies Meulmeester RSS feed

Yellow-legged Gull, Etaples

iesmeulmeester@solcon.nl(Ies Meulmeester) — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 14:46:12 +0100

Note the scalloped pattern on the fresh under-wing coverts.

Yellow-legged Gull, Etaples

iesmeulmeester@solcon.nl(Ies Meulmeester) — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 14:37:07 +0100

Comparable with these 2cy Yellow-legged Gull. But note the small and slender build, the more yellowish bill and red spot on the gonys, and the slightly dark peppered iris.

Yellow-legged Gull, Etaples

iesmeulmeester@solcon.nl(Ies Meulmeester) — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 14:19:31 +0100

Classic view of plumage shown by 2cy Yellow-legged Gulls at the end of October.

Yellow-legged Gull, Etaples

iesmeulmeester@solcon.nl(Ies Meulmeester) — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 11:07:41 +0100

Note the bi-colored dull pinkish bill with only a broad black band on the gonys.

Yellow-legged Gull, Etaples

iesmeulmeester@solcon.nl(Ies Meulmeester) — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 10:54:02 +0100

Comparable with these 2cy Yellow-legged Gull and these Italian ringed 2cy Yellow-legged Gull. Note the strong white barred pattern on the tertials.

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.