Andrew Chick Ecology

The Black Guillemot, also known as the tystie, is a medium-sized seabird characterized by its black plumage with distinctive white wing patches during the breeding season. In England, St Bees Head in Cumbria is notable for hosting the country’s only breeding population of Black Guillemots. This area features sandstone cliffs that provide suitable nesting ledges for these birds, along with other seabirds such as gulls, Kittiwakes, Guillemots, Razorbills, and Fulmars. ​

While the population at St Bees Head is relatively small, Black Guillemots are regularly observed there, often seen on the water at the base of the cliffs, particularly in areas immediately north of Fleswick Bay. The species is classified as ‘Green’ in the UK’s Birds of Conservation Concern list, indicating a stable population status. ​