The Manx Wildlife Trust, in conjunction with the Wildflowers of Mann Project, is holding a celebration of Manx orchids from 10 to 17 June 2012 with various events taking place to showcase these beautiful, native wildflowers.
The celebration will begin on Sunday, 10 June 2012 with a guided walk around the Trust’s nature reserve at Close Sartfield, located in the north-west corner of the Ballaugh Curragh. Up to six species of orchid, namely common spotted, heath spotted, northern marsh, early marsh, twayblade and greater butterfly, may be seen on the reserve during this time of year. Led by the Manx Wildlife Trust’s Reserves Officer, Tricia Sayle, the walk will start from the car park at Close Sartfield at 2.30pm and will include a visit to Magher Liauyr, a field turned from a gorse thicket into a wildflower meadow thanks to the efforts of Trust volunteers. The cost of this event is ?2.50 per person. Please note that the walk is not suitable for small children and no dogs are permitted on the nature reserve.
On Saturday, 16 June 2012, the celebration will continue with a special Open Orchids event, from 12 to 5pm, giving a rare opportunity to visit some secret orchid sites in the south-west of the Island. Wildflowers of Mann Project Manager, Andree Dubbeldam, said,
“The orchid is the most numerous family of flowers and may be found throughout the Island. However, whilst certain species are quite common, popping up in roadside verges, woodlands and even garden lawns, others are very rare and aren’t always available for the general public to see. Thanks to the support of a number of local landowners, we’re delighted to be able to open up some very special orchid sites for our Open Orchids event.”
Combined information leaflets and tickets for this event are available now from the Wildlife Shop in Market Place, Peel and cost ?5.00 per adult and ?1.00 per child. No dogs may be brought to the Open Orchids event and, at some of the sites, visitors should be prepared for some rough walking on stony ground and across open farmland that may be quite boggy in places.
Two further events on Sunday, 17 June 2012 will bring the celebration of orchids to a close: an Awesome Orchids and Wildflowers event from 11am to 12.30pm at Close Sartfield and a further guided walk around the reserve at 2.30pm. The morning event is mainly, although not exclusively, for children and will involve an exploration of Close Sartfield’s awesome meadows filled with thousands of orchids, other wildflowers and mini-beasts with the help of the Trust’s Education Officer, Kath Smith. The cost is ?2.00 per child and accompanying adults go free. Details for the guided walk in the afternoon are as for Sunday, 10 June 2012.
For more information about all of these events, please contact the Manx Wildlife Trust on tel. 844432 or visit the Trust’s website www.manxwt.org.uk.
Picture: Northern Marsh Orchids
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