Black Turnstone (Arenaria melanocephala) is in the Sandpipers and Allies family (Scolopacidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 9,822 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in September.
Seasonal pattern in the national data: seasonal. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.
When to photograph Black Turnstone: observations by month (U.S.)
About Black Turnstone
The black turnstone (Arenaria melanocephala) is a species of small wading bird. It is one of two species of turnstone in the genus Arenaria the ruddy turnstone (A. interpres) being the other. It is now classified in the sandpiper family, Scolopacidae, but was formerly sometimes placed in the plover family, Charadriidae. It is native to the west coast of North America and breeds only in Alaska.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Black Turnstone by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 7,477 | September | Aug–Apr |
| Washington | 1,102 | September | Aug–Apr |
| Oregon | 819 | August | Jul–Apr |
| Alaska | 418 | August | Apr–Oct |
| Arizona | 5 | May | May–May |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related birds (Sandpipers and Allies)
Willet
Sanderling
Least Sandpiper
Spotted Sandpiper
Greater Yellowlegs
Ruddy Turnstone
Marbled Godwit
Long-billed Curlew
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 Turnstone?
Nationally, September has the most observations, with the main season from July to April.
Where is Black Turnstone most often seen?
The most observations come from California, Washington, Oregon.