Trog

  1. Tales from the Hive ... Out and About

    After a week of rain and stormy winds, the sun had finally put in an appearance and, despite the low temperature – just 5 degrees on the garden thermometer – the bees were out and about, doing their hive-work, dragging debris through the mouseguards.

    Having been stuck inside for so long with their legs crossed at least in a metaphorical sense, they had also taken wing and headed for a suitable spot nearby for a 'comfort break'. It was unfortunate that the local painter and decorator ...
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  2. Trog's Blog 7 - Kippered bees

    I've never had to kipper Mull bees before. Usually a very light smoking at the entrance before I start and they ignore me as I take their home apart. On a bad day, maybe a little smoke every 3 frames or so. Today was a little different. The last inspections were 21 June, just before we went away, and since we got back it's been raining. Today was one of those 'will have to do the bees regardless' days. Two needed checking for mated queens, three for newly-mated queens still OK, and others ...
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  3. Tales from the Hive: Decisions, Decisions

    The swarm had been hanging since teatime yesterday and as yet no decision had been taken about their new home. There had been some quite vigorous dancing and even a bit of shoulder-shaking, but still the bees couldn't make up their collective mind.

    The trouble was, there were too many good places available and the bees had divided into factions. The more conservative ones favoured sticking with what they knew, and there was a very well-sited National hive just a mile away, with ...
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  4. To Bee or Not to Bee?

    Sometimes on Mull it's necessary to inspect the bees in less than ideal conditions. They have a wonderful habit of quietly getting on with swarm preparations then departing the minute the sun comes out!

    Yesterday was sunny but with a cold north wind and a temperature in the shade of only 9 degrees. However, the girls were flying better than they had for some time and the apiary was reasonably sheltered from the wind. Having done my first spring inspection on 10 April, it was high ...
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  5. Tales from the Hive ... surely not another!

    'Into my hive an air that chills
    From yon far country blows ..' intoned the Queen

    “I beg your pardon?”, said one of her retinue.

    “It's poetry”, said another, “A Shropshire Bee, if I'm not mistaken.”

    “Quite right, though improved by myself.”, said her maj.

    “She's quite the polymath, our queen.”, said a bee on the edge of the circle.

    “An autodidactic polymath,” added another, not wishing to be outdone.

    ...
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