Textual Notes
Photographs
Puerto del Carmen, Lanzarote, Canaries, August 1992, first-summer/second-winter perched
Grey tinge on scapulars, bill still all black, short legs with a straw tint, coverts mostly dark grey-brown.
Puerto del Carmen, Lanzarote, Canaries, August 1992, first-summer/second-winter perched
Very similar to above, short legs very obvious, head is fairly pale except for dark eye spot.
Puerto del Carmen, Lanzarote, Canaries, August 1992, first-summer/second-winter swimming
More advanced with cleaner grey area on scapulars, bill shows pale base and eye patch is less obvious, one of the lightweight eastern Canaries type.
Puerto del Carmen, Lanzarote, Canaries, August 1992, first-summer/second-winter perched on boat
Much more retarded but there is a hint of grey on scapulars, broad white area on tip of tertials and straw legs.
Playa de las Americas, Tenerife, Canaries, August 1998, first-summer/second-winter in flight
An unusually strong and bold structure, gleaming white head and extensive grey on back. Such birds are either extremes of the local population or Mediterranean michahellis. The leg length would need to be assessed for a choice to be made.
Santa Cruz, La Palma, Canaries, August 2000, first-summer swimming
Although the head is white, apart from the eye patch, the mantle is predominantly a dark grey-brown. The bill is relatively thin as found in western Canaries birds.
Las Galletas, Canaries, August 2000, first-summer in flight
Very retarded looking much like a juvenile except for the extensive moult on the tail, secondaries and primaries. The old P10 is retained.
Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, Canaries, 24 September 2000, second-winter walking
Morro del Jable, Fuerteventura, Canaries, 29 Sep 2000, second-winter perched
Dull uniform dark grey mantle is typical of this age; short straw legs, extensive dark necklace and quite dark area on the side of the head around the eye, all-black bill, outer primary not fully grown.
Morro del Jable, Fuerteventura, Canaries, 29 Sep 2000, second-winter in flight
Same bird, quite uniform underwing with not very conspicuous underwing coverts, appears to still be growing P10, tail band is still broad but rather diffuse, extensive sparse mottling on sides of breast and belly
Morro del Jable, Fuerteventura, Canaries, 29 Sep 2000, second-winter in flight with adult perched
Second-winter (same as above) has P1-P9 new, P10 growing in bulge on leading edge, contrasting appearance with dark outer primaries and much paler dull grey inner wing. Adult has P1-P8 new and P9-P10 still growing, head is quite pale, legs are a dullish solid ochre colour, mantle a darkish blue-grey. Unusual for birds of this age to still be growing primaries.
Morro del Jable, Fuerteventura, Canaries, 29 Sep 2000, second-winter in flight
A more retarded second-winter with the inner wing quite grey-brown still, back and scapulars are blue-grey, tail band is broad and dense, obvious secondary bar, pale inner primaries P1-P3. However moult is complete as expected for birds of this age in late September.
Funchal, Madeira, 26 March 2002, second-summer perched with first-summer in flight
Bright blue-grey on back and scapulars, bill 80% yellow from base with black tip, legs a pinky-yellow, coverts are still quite mottled, tail reaches to around P7. The first-summer with it shows a white tail, two bars on the inner wing and an indistinct pale primary panel.
Funchal, Madeira, 29 March 2002, second-summer in flight
The back and scapulars show extensive adult grey, the tail is very white and the inner primaries are strikingly pale. The tail band is still intact except for the missing feather, the base of the bill is yellow. The head is still dusky and the two bars on the inner wing are still quite strong.
Ponta de Cruz, Madeira, 30 March 2002, second-summer in flight
The tail band is breaking up on this bird. The inner primaries are very pale and the contrast between the underwing coverts and the rest of the wing is fading. The belly is still quite dusky and the bill is still mostly black.
Funchal, Madeira, 26 March 2002, second-summer Lesser Black-backed Gull perched
A Lesser Black-backed Gull on mantle shade and slightly slighter features in bill, head and neck than most local YLG. The tail reaches point P6 on the closed wing.
Funchal, Madeira, 26 March 2002, second-summer Lesser Black-backed Gull in flight
Another Lesser Black-backed Gull. The inner primaries are uniformly dark, the mantle is a relatively dark shade, the head is very dusky and the bill is long and narrow.
Caleta de Fustes, Fuerteventura, Canaries, April 1999, second-summer perched
Agadir, Morocco, April 2000, one second-summer on edge of roof-top colony at the Amadil Beach Hotel
Agadir, Morocco, April 2000, second-summer in flight from below
Essaouira, Morocco, April 2000, second-summer perched
Essaouira, Morocco, April 2000, second-summer in flight
same bird in the last two photographs
Essaouira, Morocco, April 2000, second-summer perched with adult
Essaouira, Morocco, April 2000, second-summer stretching wings
same bird in the last two photographs
Santa Cruz, La Palma, Canaries, 21 April 2003, 2 second-summer perched
The bird on the right is more immature than the one on the left with less mottling on coverts, a brighter yellow bill with large red spot and bright ochre legs. Both show short legs. The one on the right has bunched primary tips and a red orbital ring. The different angles mean that it cannot be assumed that the bird on the left has a darker mantle.
Santa Cruz, La Palma, Canaries, 21 April 2003, second-summer in flight
More immature bird above in flight. Looks much more immature in flight than when perched. Dark secondary bar, blue-grey mantle and scapulars, irregular dark subterminal tail band and pale P1 and P2 are striking features. Primary moult has not started.
Tazacorte, La Palma, Canaries, 22 April 2003, second-summer perched
Solid appearance particularly around head and neck. Fairly retarded bird with heavy mottling on coverts. Bill has black subterminal band
Tazacorte, La Palma, Canaries, 22 April 2003, second-summer wings open
Same bird as above. A strange mix of features. The tail has only the left part with dark area, The wings look more like first-summer with faded brown colour. The secondary bar is very bold.
Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, Canaries, 14 May 2000, second-summer in flight
Tail band is reduced in width, broken and incomplete. Secondary bar is bold and outer primaries remain dark. Leading edge is also dark and mantle and scapulars are a dark, adult-like, blue-grey.
