gavin

Had a quick lunchtime visit to the apiary today now that the snow is nearly gone. The recent cold snap has held the snowdrops back so they are still waiting there for a warmish day to open up shop for the pollinators. The Japanese quince in the walled garden is starting to come out now (always a favourite perhaps because of the warmth in that corner, see last year's photos), and the bees in the cavity of the wall of the walled garden were just as vigorous as the best of my hives (slightly sheepish look of the beekeeper who let too many swarms go last year).

The six surviving colonies look grand. Lost two overwinter, one a small nuc that had escaped a serious Varroa problem and went into winter very weak, the other a full colony that went into decline starting on the heather. It was down to two small patches of dead bees on two frame faces.

Some of the six are eating their fondant at a fast rate whereas others are more frugal. I guess that reflects the brood raising activity underneath. I lifted the crown board of the quietest one and it had bees on four frames buzzing and perhaps trying to warm up to take advantage of the sun. The willows are just waiting for a little warmth to open up, and all is looking good for spring.