Could someone out there please tell me how you can tell when the ladies are bringing in nectar at this time of the year? This with a view to it not being a good idea, to go into colony too often, in order to check things this early in the year?
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Could someone out there please tell me how you can tell when the ladies are bringing in nectar at this time of the year? This with a view to it not being a good idea, to go into colony too often, in order to check things this early in the year?
Just a whizzing of busy bees, to and fro. Generally some will be bringing pollen, but if there is a busy, fast, preoccupied flying in and out then there's something up. Gathering water doesn't get them quite so excited or bring them out in numbers.
This is possibly where I make a tit of myself, but I'm told that bees flying head down/body up are flying "empty" while bees flying the otherway round are "full", hopefully of nectar. I'd be a liar if I claimed to have spent a great deal of time trying to observe this.
Neil, how could you possibly make a 'tit' of yourself and anyway I am obviously doing the same by asking questions that either everyone except I knows the answer to, or no one has a clue except for our administrator.
I shall go and do some observing - head down = high winds or empty. Head up = brakes on or full load. Intriguing and thanks.
POPZ
If there is a really good nectar flow on you can smell it, especially in the evening when the bees are evaporating off the water content. If you get a warm evening in October you can smell the ivy nectar before you even get up to the hive. Pungent stuff.
Just wait for the blackcurrant to flower (soon); you'll know if they're bringing that nectar in if you wander near the hive on a calm evening. As for clover on a warm midsummer's evening ... I can't stay away from the hives then as the scent is heavenly.
I have wondered about the same thing before, and my husband asked me this yesterday - I hope he was impressed by my being able to tell him (thanks Gavin!!!).
Interesting !
Willow has been giveing both pollen and nectar for 7 days now, check out your nearest willows, you see the bees with stretched abdomins and pollen too.
L.
Ps. all the other insects visiting it is a sign there getting something,and yes Jon you can smell it from the ones storeing it.
Up and posting before 6am LP?! I see that we have all types on the forum!
Do you ever get willow honey? I'm helping set up an association apiary and if anywhere could yield a few frames of willow honey, that site could.
Haven't had a chance yet to look out for Nellie's bee attitude nectar indicator, but I will.