Black Guillemot (Cepphus grylle) is in the Auks, Murres, and Puffins family (Alcidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 2,342 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in July.
Seasonal pattern in the national data: summer visitor / breeder. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.
When to photograph Black Guillemot: observations by month (U.S.)
About Black Guillemot
The black guillemot or tystie (Cepphus grylle) is a medium-sized alcid. The genus name Cepphus is from Ancient Greek kepphos, a pale waterbird mentioned by Greek authors including Aristotle. The species name grylle was the local dialect name for this bird in Gotland at the time of Linnaeus's visit there in 1741. The English word "guillemot" is from French guillemot probably derived from Guillaume, "William".From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Black Guillemot by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maine | 2,119 | July | May–Aug |
| Massachusetts | 113 | January | Nov–Mar |
| Alaska | 49 | June | May–Jun |
| New Jersey | 18 | January | Jan–Feb |
| New Hampshire | 14 | June | Jun–Sep |
| North Carolina | 10 | December | Dec–Dec |
| New York | 9 | February | Feb–Feb |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related birds (Auks, Murres, and Puffins)
Photography tips
- Use a fast shutter (1/2000 s or faster) for birds in flight.
- Focus on the eye and shoot at the bird's eye level.
- Approach slowly and stop if the bird changes behavior; never bait or flush birds.
- Morning activity peaks in the first two hours after sunrise.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Black Guillemot?
Nationally, July has the most observations, with the main season from May to August.
Where is Black Guillemot most often seen?
The most observations come from Maine, Massachusetts, Alaska.