Perched on the arctic edge of North America, tiny Herschel Island has a unique combination of arctic flora, mammals and birds; and the imprint of human history. Inuvialuit families have fished and hunted here for thousands of years, and missionaries, mounties and American whalers all left their legacy on the island's shores. During the brief Arctic summer, Herschel has a colourful and amazing variety of plant life; nearly 200 species. The largest colony of black guillemots in the Western Arctic nests here; and the cliffs and gullies of the island are home to magnificent birds of prey.