gavin

  1. Learning lessons

    Here we are in June already. So what gives? The bees are booming and I have every box except one nuc with bees in now (plus a couple I've borrowed). Six to fifteen plus three Apideas if all the queens mate, although several boxes of bees will be used to requeen the less mild stocks and boost the strength for the heather. On the basis that you learn from your mistakes I've learned a lot (again) this year. The season started early with rape in flower early in April and it is still in full flower ...

    Updated 05-06-2012 at 10:22 AM by gavin

    Categories
    Uncategorized
  2. April showers

    Had a look today as it slightly warmed up at lunchtime and I was wondering how they were after near enough a fortnight of cool weather. Not bad. They still had stores - although a couple at the association apiary needed a little bit of something to keep them going. My apiary is blessed with greater shelter and with lots of pear trees in flower now. So they were bringing in oilseed rape (nearest field just over 1 km away) and pear plus a little dandelion. As usual the colonies differed. A couple ...
    Categories
    Uncategorized
  3. All well

    Took advantage of the warmest March day in Scotland and I've been through all of mine now. No drone layers, none queenless. One has lots of brood (7-8 frames) and when that lot hatches there will be no room at all in the box. Time for a second brood box for that one. There are three with 4-5 frames of brood and the other two are a bit weaker still with 2-3 frames and half a box of bees. None are borderline survivors and all look like they will flourish this spring. The big one is the most ...

    Updated 26-03-2012 at 09:23 AM by gavin

    Categories
    Uncategorized
  4. A quick inspection

    Had another visit yesterday and pulled some frames for the first time as the sun was out and the sheltered site was encouraging lots of flying. There was a Japanese quince just inside the garden which was humming with bees, apparently collecting pollen.





    ...
    Categories
    Uncategorized
  5. March in the orchard

    Bringing home the willow pollen.



    In this one just back from the willow you can clearly see the combs on the hind legs used to press and squeeze the moistened pollen through into the pollen baskets. Come to think of it, that doesn't look like willow. Not dusty enough.



    On their way out the door they give their antennae a quick wipe before they ...

    Updated 12-03-2012 at 08:40 AM by gavin

    Categories
    Uncategorized
Page 3 of 9 FirstFirst 12345 ... LastLast