Cepphus grylle (Linné 1758), Black Guillemot (Alcidae)

Compiled by: Christof Herrmann, Henrik Skov & Wlodzimierz Meissner

1. Description of the Habitat/Autecology of the species

The breeding habitat of the black guillemot is the archipelago areas in Sweden, Finland and Estonia. During the winter season the main habitat for the declining populations in the Baltic Proper at offshore banks and shallow sublittoral areas with gravely sediments holding a water depth of less than 25 m (Durinck et al., 1994). Black guillemots mainly feed on small benthic fish and invertebrates.

2. Distribution, past and presence

The breeding distribution in the Baltic Proper covers an extensive range, and the species is very dispersed during the breeding season. The non-breeding distribution, however, covers relatively discrete areas with the habitat characteristics mentioned above. Non-breeding distribution in the Baltic Sea only surveyed once; in February-March 1992-93 (Durinck et al., 1994), when about half of the wintering birds were found within one area stretching from Rønne Bank to the Slupsk Bank (Durinck et al., 1994).

3. Importance (Sub-regional, Baltic-wide, Global)

The central Baltic population is considered of global importance, as it is restricted to the Baltic proper throughout the year.

4. Status of threat/decline

The population of the Baltic Proper have suffered declines, which have been recorded both at the breeding and wintering grounds. The exact level and extent of the decline can not currently be given. Declines in breeding numbers have been recorded in Sweden and Finland since 1985 (HELCOM HABITAT, 2004), and in the in the wintering numbers on Slupsk Bank since the early 1990’es (Meissner, 2005).

5. Threat/decline factors

During the breeding season predators are believed to be the main threats, while oil pollution and incidental by-catches in fishing gear are believed to be the main factors behind the declines in the wintering numbers.

6. Options for improvements

Predatory control in archipelago areas and management of oil transports in the Baltic Proper.

Notes

Recommendation for EU Wild Birds Directive Annex 1.

7. References

HELCOM HABITAT. 2004. Development of Baltic Waterbird Monitoring Strategy, - Pilot Phase: evaluation of available data and conclusion on necessary follow-up activities. Report to HELCOM HABITAT 6/2004. 

Meissner, W. 2005. Sprawozdanie z badań nad składem gatunkowym, liczebnością i rozmieszczeniem ptaków wodnych przebywających na Ławicy Słupskiej i w polskiej części Zatoki Pomorskiej w sezonie 2004/2005. Manuscript. Ecotone. Sopot. (in Polish).