Twin Islands (Nunavut)


The Twin Islands are similarly shaped Arctic islands in the Qikiqtaaluk Region of Nunavut, Canada. They are located in central James Bay, north east of Akimiski Island, and west of Quebec. The group includes North Twin and South Twin islands.

Geography

Approximately separate the two islands. North Twin Island,, by, to the northwest, is the larger of the two. South Twin Island measures by. Landscape characteristics include, unconsolidated sand, gravel, lakes, marshland, sand dunes, and wide tidal flats.
Notable landmarks include Cotter Point on North Twin, and Lucy Point on South Twin.

Flora

The habitat includes small stands of trees: dwarf birch, juniper, white spruce, and willows, along with heaths and shrubs.

Conservation

The Twin Islands are a Canadian Important Bird Area, an International Biological Program site, and a Key Terrestrial Migratory Bird Site. The Twin Islands Wildlife Sanctuary is part of the James Bay Preserve.

Avifauna

Notable bird species include: American pipit, Arctic tern, Canada goose, dunlin, eastern white-crowned sparrow, horned lark, Lapland longspur, least sandpiper, purple sandpiper, red-necked phalarope, Savannah sparrow, semipalmated plover, semipalmated sandpiper, waterfowl, and willow ptarmigan.
Polar bears frequent the area.