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The below individual is currently residing in Leiden, The Netherlands. As you can see, it has got a striking tail pattern, distinct white notching in the tertials and greater coverts and the base of the bill is already rather pink (pictures taken September 4):







The only other time I've seen a similar tail pattern was earlier this year, also in Leiden, on April 10:





Can anything be said about this pattern (e.g. more common in northern parts of Europe)?
I haven't come across any other examples, any thoughts would be welcome.

Hi Maarten,

two more examples are among the photos at http://picasaweb.google.be/Zorkyyy/Euro ... ilpatterns# .
Origin unknown though...

I have sen a few Herring with a similar, somewhat GBBG like tails.
Here´s a couple of other variants.

http://www.helsinki.fi/~rauste/gulls/hannu17.html

http://www.helsinki.fi/~rauste/gulls/hannu45.html

JanJ

Peter & Jan, thanks for your feedback!

What about his beauty of today. Not banded, but also with an abberant pattern.

We saw another example of a striking tail pattern today in Leiden, The Netherlands: