8 March 2010

BLACK-HEADED GULL Stokes Hill, Darwin. A first cycle Black-headed Gull was seen at Stokes Hill Wharf on Saturday night (06 March 2010) between about 6 and 630 pm. This bird appears to be going through its PA1 (pre-alternate) molt to produce its first alternate plumage. The timing of this molt is usually Feb-Apr/May, fitting well with the bird here. The bird has attained all-white central rectrices (looked like rectrices 1 and 2 on either side, but would like to get some photos), and has grey tertials, consistent with this molt pattern and timing. (thanks Pete Kyne and Micha Jackson)