Name: RSPB Swift Academy Meadow Creation Edgbaston AFTERNOON
Start: 2026-03-11T13:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-03-11T15:00:00+00:00
Location: B16 0SL

RSPB Swift Academy Meadow Creation Edgbaston AFTERNOON

Create insect-rich wildflower meadows and help bring swifts back to our skies through hands-on, practical gardening.
About this Event

The RSPB Swift Academy has teamed up with Roots to Fruit Midlands Limited and Birmingham Settlement Edgebaston - Nature & Wellbeing Centre to deliver a hands-on Meadow Creation Activity afternoon

These practical, half-day outdoor workshops are designed to show how insect-rich wildflower meadows can be created to support biodiversity — and crucially, to increase feeding opportunities for swifts, which rely entirely on flying insects.

What You’ll Be Doing

This is a practical gardening and conservation workshop, suitable for beginners and those with some gardening experience. During the session, you will:

Learn how to prepare ground properly for a successful wildflower meadow
Discover how to sow wildflower seed mixes correctly for best establishment
Create a bird- and insect-friendly meadow between 1m by 4m
Understand which flowers best support insect life important to swifts
Gain practical knowledge on meadow aftercare and long-term maintenance
Learn how to replicate these techniques at home or in community spaces

All activities are guided by experienced tutors, with plenty of opportunity to ask questions and learn by doing.

Why Swifts?

Swifts spend almost their entire lives in the air, feeding exclusively on insects. By creating wildflower meadows rich in pollinators and flying insects, we can directly improve local feeding habitat and help reverse the decline of these iconic summer birds.

This event forms part of a West Midlands–wide initiative led by the RSPB to support swift populations through habitat creation, community engagement, and practical action.

Practical Details

Duration: Half-day workshop
Location: Nature and Wellbeing Centre, 79 Selwyn Road, B16 0SL.
What to wear: Suitable outdoor clothing and sturdy footwear
Who it’s for: Volunteers, community groups, gardeners, beginners welcome

All tools and materials will be provided.

Take Skills Home With You

By the end of the session, you’ll leave with practical, transferable skills you can use in your own garden, school, allotment, or community space — helping wildlife thrive well beyond the event itself.

Date: 11/03/2026

Time:

Afternoon Session 1pm-3pm

Location: Nature and Wellbeing Centre, 79 Selwyn Road, B16 0SL.