L. fuscus fuscus like?

[michal rycak]

Hi all!
Photo takien today at Łubna. Can we distinguish these gull as Baltic? What do you think about moult pace?

Michal

[Ronald Klein]

Only balancing or real albatrossing?

[michal rycak]

Only balancing. Today was veeeery windy

[adriaens]

At first sight, moult does not seem very spectacular: 6-7 new primaries, while P9-10 are old and juvenile. Pretty normal for any 2nd-cycle LBBG at this time of year.
However, a closer look reveals something interesting: a slight moult contrast in the new primaries and corresponding primary coverts. If I interpret things correctly, it seems to me that moult was arrested when P1-3 had been replaced. P4-6 (and corresponding primary coverts) must have been replaced somewhat later in the year. They are still 2nd-generation feathers, like P1-3, but they look fresher, more blackish. The difference is quite clear if you look at the primary coverts.
This means that, for a moment, this bird did not have enough energy to continue moulting (after P3); maybe because it undertook a long-distance migration at that time ?

[michal rycak]

adriaens, thanks for your answer!