Close Sartfield lies on the northwest edge of the Ballaugh Curragh, the Island’s largest wetland, and is an Area of special Scientific Interest (ASSI) and Ramsar site (Wetland of International Importance). 

MWT acquired Close Sartfield in 1987. Before then it was cultivated farmland.

Through wildflower meadow management the flagship site now has six wildflower meadows which have a wonderful display of orchids from late May to July when tens of thousands of orchids are in bloom.

Since MWT started the restoration of the wildflower meadows and wetland sites many plants have been recorded, the most notable of which are:

Lesser water plantain
Long-stalked yellow-sedge
Ivy-leaved bellflower
Adder’s tongue fern
Moonwort
Whorled caraway
Greater butterfly orchid

Use the image gallery below to see images of the plants-

The Lesser water plantain and Long-stalked yellow-sedge turned up after the clearance work at the bog, next to the bird hide. The 2009 picture is after MWT Reserves Officer, Tricia, and a group of the Midweek Muckers had spent 2 winters (388 hours) removing willow, birch, bog myrtle and purple-moor grass tussocks by hand to restore the bog. Early marsh orchid, northern marsh orchid, twayblade orchid and spotted-orchids also turned up after this work.

Lesser water plantain, Long-stalked yellow-sedge and Ivy-leaved bellflower are rare on the Island. The ivy-leaved bellflower is thought to be only found at one other place on Island!

Adder’s tongue fern, Moonwort and Whorled caraway are general indicators of a good wildflower meadow – often said to be indicators of long established meadows. 

Greater butterfly orchids are just beautiful and one of MWT Reserves officer, Tricia's, favourites!