Today's Buzz!

[Keeper]

26th February, 8 degrees, a wet and breezy morning. Not the best for checking colonies but needs must and we are now in the pre-spring danger zone.

Predictably the colonies that were strongest at the end of autumn are sound and starting to bring in early pollen from snowdrop, crocus, and hazel. These are important sources of protein for early brood build up and are a sure sign of a stirring queen. Floor debris confirms the presence and position of brood by the linear biscuit coloured capping traces. Happily no varroa was detected.



A carpet of crocus flowers signalling winter that its time to go! Lots of pollen to be had here, but the suns needs to be out.


Also predictable was the loss of the last two weak colonies which when opened revealed very few bees and no trace of brood production. The few remaining bees were all shiny black indicating that they are old bees and not recently emerged. The queen may have failed but more likely the lack of numbers has resulted in nest temperatures dropping too low for brood production. It takes a strong colony to withstand the natural loss of older bees and bees on the outer edge of the cluster while maintaining a core temperature sufficient for protecting the queen, egg laying and brood production. They were expected losses that could really have been avoided by uniting before winter.



Bell heather is in full flower and the bees won't miss the opportunity of a little early pollen and nectar.

The bees were all up, meaning they were visibly up on top of the brood frames currently surviving on what is in the fondant feeders. All were all topped up and re-positioned to directly above the bees using floor debris as an aid to their location. It won't be long before nectar starts to flow in sufficient quantity to justify supers!

[Keeper]

9th February, 7 degrees and overcast, but today definitely has a faint spring feel to it, and there is a discernable change in light quality. Snowdrops are in full bloom and crocuses slowly making their appearance, spring is on it's way. We might like to let out a sigh of relief, but hold that thought, we are entering the 'danger zone' now where colonies can suddenly collapse after having made it through November to January. Reasons for failure at this time are usually a failed queen, insufficient numbers to sustain brood production, or insufficient food or direct access to it. The only thing to be done at this time is to ensure the latter doesn't happen, anything else is beyond redemption, and a reminder to unite any weaker colonies next autumn!


A wonderful sight, and right beside the apiary!

A quick round of the hives revealed all colonies were showing signs of activity and hopefully a stirring queen. There was even small amounts of greyish pollen going into one of the hives, that always raises the beekeeping spirits! All feeders were topped up and or moved to directly over the bees and brood area where necessary by checking the varroa board for tell tail signs of brood uncapping. Monitoring will be more frequent now as numbers start to grow and food consumption increases, and there is always the chance of long spells of bad weather before spring has fully sprung.

[Keeper]

13th January, amazing the difference in the weather in just a few days. Last visit was in glorious winter sunshine, today it was 8 degrees but felt sub-zero, was dark, overcast and raining. We carried out the 2nd round of OA sublimation which should catch any mites that were in sealed brood at the first round. Not surprisingly the bees did not put in an appearance but could be heard humming in disapproval at the vapour filling their home. Done correctly, it will have entirely filled and coated the entire hive and bees with a fine coating which they'll get busy cleaning off.

Varroa boards were checked and still no sign of mites and there was evidence of brood production in the debris of all colonies. So far so good this winter, but the critical time is yet to come! We are half way through January, and the colonies will be coming to life in the next few weeks as the first flowers of spring appear. Better be prepared.

[Keeper]

10th January - last few days have seen sub zero temperatures which will have tightened the clusters following their first sublimation. 1℃ this morning, no wind, cold and bright, the sun on the snow and ice dazzling, perfect for a quick round to check feeders and top up where necessary.


The importance of sighting hives where they catch the most sunshine, especially in the winter, can't be overstated!

The upland colonies were covered in a light covering of fresh snow and the bees tucked well down in the brood box. Fondant feeders remain relatively untouched, the bees still using honey stored below. A very gentle hum just audible in the winters silence!


Lower altitude apiaries are a couple of degrees higher than the sub zero upland sites.

The lower altitude colonies had used a little more fondant and had found the pollen substitute, but were still using honey stores below. None needed topping up. A few bees were flying here, brought out by the calm sunny weather.


Close inspection of varroa boards following the first sublimation. Note the different coloured capping debris.

Overall the colonies are surviving well, and predominantly on their own stores so far. All, with only one exception, are sited in full sun (when it comes out!) and benefit from the heat it brings. A little warmth can loosen the cluster enough to allow it to move to food within the hive, and can help avoid isolation starvation.
Varroa boards were inspected for mite drop and for tell tail signs of bee activity. Floor debris reveals where the bees are working within the hive, and whether there is brood present (biscuit coloured debris). Surprisingly there were no mites visible on any of the boards, hopefully a good sign that the late season strips did a good job.

Next visit - 2nd sublimation at 14 days

[Keeper]

30th December, the sun in a cloudless sky and with overnight temperatures sub-zero it was an ideal opportunity to carry out the first OA sublimation. The bees were clustered tight up in the hive and less inclined to object to the wand coming through the entrance. It made for an easy and straight forward job.

The last few weeks have seen mixed weather and some high winds, but happily no snow to speak of. Feeders were checked and topped up at fortnightly intervals, and pollen substitute at the last visit just to ensure direct access as the bees cluster and move up.

2nd treatment in 14 days.

[Keeper]

14th November, cold 4C start to the day with rain forecast for later. High winds and very heavy rain over the last week, time for a quick round of the colonies.

All hives are now configured for winter - a super of honey under the brood box, queen excluder removed, eke in it's place, fondant feeders directly over the bees, glass crown board, insulation board, and roof with weights or ratchet straps for security. Dodgy seams between boxes are duct taped to stop the killer draughts. Entrances should be reduced down to keep mice and draughts out, and varroa boards inspected and cleaned.

Inspections at this time are minimal, a quick look through the glass crown board to see if the feeders need topping up. Bees will remain out of sight while there are supplies in the brood box and in the lower super. If they are up then they have used that up and are using the fondant. Gently lifting one side of the hive to heft it will give you an idea of what stores are left below. Don't be tempted to tap hives to agitate the bees into buzzing or coming up just to see if they are there, it can take a couple of days for them to re-cluster and may get chilled.

All hives checked for stores and security, not forgetting to ensure no blockages at the entrance, back home for a warm cuppa!

[Keeper]

No updates since the end of April due to a very busy year leaving little spare time to spend on the laptop! Quick summary of the seasons activities - great start, colonies built up well and collected a fair amount of honey. Swarm control success was varied despite ample space to expand. When they want to go, they want to go! Routine colony maintenance including frame and foundation replacement in all colonies, three frames each. Weather changed end of May, strong colonies starting to consume their own honey. Harvested some leaving a healthy amount with the bees, but had to syrup feed a couple that were low. Fresh supers added but no excess produced over the summer. Autumn has arrived, varroa treatment carried out, Fluvalinate strips. Big mite drop from colonies that have been producing less brood. Lots of honey in the brood boxes. Next job is to remove last of varroa strips, check colony status, unite weaker ones, monitor stores levels.

[Keeper]

22nd April, sunny spells, 12C, industrious bees bringing in pollen of various shades of orange and yellow. time for the first full inspection of the season. Now we'll find out if the winter preparation and management has paid off. There's always a deal of anticipation in doing this after avoiding the temptation to open them up for a quick look when they were hunkered down in their winter cluster and should be left undisturbed. Now that the season is underway it's safe to pull brood frames out for a detailed inspection, weather permitting.

There is always something satisfying about observing a busy hive entrance in spring, the first indication of what the likely condition of the colony is inside. The same has to be said for their behaviour as you approach and start to open the hive. If they are leaving you alone, that is a very good sign. If not, be prepared!

This inspection focusses on the colony and nest conditions. Is it queen right, are there signs of health problems and varroa infestation, is there room for the nest to expand, are there enough stores? Lots to check and record for the next visit. Going about the inspection gently and using just enough smoke to keep them calm makes this task an easier job.


End to end brood, a good start!

With all apiaries checked, only one colony was under par, and by a long way. No queen observed, no eggs, no brood of any description and less than an ideal number of bees. The only positive sign was polished cells, but it's future is doubtful. The same colony had not been the best last season and had a queen that somehow evaded detection and kept laying in the supers as well as the brood nest. The rest of the colonies were a different story. With the exception of one, they were all more or less wall to wall brood, showing that despite the up and down weather, they have been busy, and our visit was timely. With hives now loaded with supers, ekes and feeders removed, and notes of what would be required next visit, it was time for an admiring glance then off home for a well deserved coffee.

[Keeper]

17th March, weather still cold, 5C and overcast, feels sub-zero! Snow drops and crocus mostly past now but willows, hazel, ivy and early flowering trees and shrubs providing pollen. Soon as the sun comes out foragers bringing in plenty pollen. Queens are getting busy, and the season has started. Last round of OA, and no varroa found on the boards. Fondant feeders were topped up along with half pack of pollen substitute.
March is the tell tale time when winter bees are coming to their end, any colonies without a laying queen and able foragers are not going to make it. Sadly there's nothing to be done to recover ailing colonies at this time.
It's still too cold for their first full inspection but the varroa boards are showing tell tale signs of brood production. Queen marking equipment, frames with fresh foundation all ready for that first look. Better get the supers and syrup feeders ready!

[Keeper]

3rd March, 9C and overcast. The high winds took their toll again, three hives over this time but thankfully the hive boxes were not scattered and bees remained snug in the brood boxes. Surprisingly they were still bringing in small amounts of pollen, two colours, one definitely ivy. All the colonies have continued bringing pollen in throughout the winter when conditions allowed flight.

There were no varroa visible on the boards from the first sublimation, and there were amounts of biscuit coloured debris on all hive boards, hopefully a good sign of brood being produced. The second sublimation was beyond the 14 days so a third will be required to ensure full effect. Two are normally sufficient.

A review of the hive stands is needed. The strength of the winter winds has dramatically increased in the last two years, and the stability of the stands is no longer adequate. Time to dig out the joinery kit!

Early spring flowers are out in force now, snowdrops and crocus looking grand. It's a sign the season is fast approaching. Better get those supers ready!