Just for reference: images of the variation in the pattern of primary P5 of female Dutch Herring Gull Green YBUF, which we ringed as an adult in 2015 in the IJmuiden Forteiland colony, the Netherlands.
Over the years, the pattern of primary P5 showed some interesting changes, ranging from a full black band across the inner and outer web, to black only on the outer web.
When following discussions within the gull community, I sense that European Herring Gulls with a full black band on P5 are considered to be rare.
YBUF shows that it depends when a particular individual is scored; you may have to check again the next season or you were already too late to see it… (reminiscent of our Lesser Black-backed Gull YBJB with or without black on all 10 primaries).
- 2023 – Full black band
- 2022 – Small spot on outer web only
- 2021 – Full black band (thinner on inner web on right wing)
- 2020 – No data
- 2019 – Full black band (thinner on inner web on right wing)
- 2018 – Full black band (thin on inner web in both wings)
- 2017 – Full black band
- 2016 – No data
- 2015 – Broad mark on the outer web and a small spot on the inner web
The images below were all taken by me in the gull colony at IJmuiden Forteiland, the Netherlands.
Below: YBUF in April 2023 with a full black band on P5.
Below: YBUF in April 2022 with only a small spot on the outer web on P5.
Below: YBUF in April 2021 with a full black band on P5, but thinner on the inner web in the right wing.
Below: YBUF in May 2015 with a broad mark on the outer web and a small spot on the inner web of P5.
Gulls to the Horizon 