Black Guillemot in Cook County
2009-11-07

'Accidental' in Minnesota - Five or fewer records in Cook County for the Fall season

This first state record Black Guillemot was initially spotted in Taconite Harbor by Cyndi Lubecke, one of the participants on the North Shore Minn BIrding Weekend. It was eventually photographed and seen by >35 observers and was still present at dusk in the inner harbor by the boat ramp. Although this species can be difficult to separate from Pigeon Guillemot in this plumage, some of us were able to see its clear white under wing linings contrasting with a crisp black trailing edge. (One of the observers, Scott Meyer, was able to photograph this feature.)

Kim R. Eckert