Born and raised in Glasgow (Maryhill). But surrounded by all these back As in Moray I'm not sounding so Glaswegian any more?! I can still do a mean ned impression when the moment calls for it though!
Born and raised in Glasgow (Maryhill). But surrounded by all these back As in Moray I'm not sounding so Glaswegian any more?! I can still do a mean ned impression when the moment calls for it though!
I'll have to do one with my dulcet tones from Belfast.
Great to see the bees out and about again Gerry.
I would say a few colonies have started brood rearing now.
I have noticed a bit of heat in the crown boards.
The temperature has been rising in the hives at the association apiary which have Arnia monitors inside.
arnia-temperature-autumn.jpg
Last edited by Jon; 11-02-2015 at 12:40 PM.
Thought you were from Glasgow, Gerry, yet there was a northern lilt to some of that I thought. Nowt wrong with a guy who picks up something of the local ways. My only foray into Dundonian comes when I'm taking the piss of someone ordering a peh. There tend to be hundreds of them at United matches so I just keep schtum.
At last I have a day with time on my hands back at base and it turns cold, windy and dreary.
Last edited by gavin; 11-02-2015 at 04:41 PM.
You're probably wise to keep your own counsel at the United matches Gavin. I once took a Scouser to a Celtic match and he insisted on singing very loudly "Matchstalk Cats and Dogs" using the original lyrics - in an ironic way. We almost didn't get out with our lives! (for the uninitiated there's a Celtic song to the same tune with er....different lyrics!).
And Jon get filming and narrating!
Moved the bees up today despite Gavin's reservations over landrover suspension
That bit went ok apart from screwing my back in but while I was up I had a good look around and there is one hive with clear external signs of Dysentry and a hive with a polycarb board that also has a lot of poo on the top bars and no bees coming to investigate. This is not looking like a good winter so far, all were fine on new years eve when we treated with OA and slapped on some fondant.
Signs of dysentry in two of my hives with bees defecating slightly on the hive fronts. I don't think its too sinister - more likely the bees having to put up with temperature shooting up and down and the bees having to overwinter on pollen rich honey filling the bees with solid material. The fouling was very watery and full of pollen residue. Anyway its too cold still to go into the hives for even a brief look-see.
Gerry, how about a progress report, interested in how well you got along doing II after your return from the course.Originally Posted by drumgerry
Ah Pete I decided not to proceed with my II plans. The more I got to know the less approriate it seemed for my circumstances. I had no idea of the time and commitment it requires and my circumstances just aren't suitable for that. Plus I live in an area where natural mating within strain is pretty good as there are few beekeepers and lots of natural obstructions in the form of bloody great mountains. So...I'd have been better thinking about all that before I bought the kit but you live and learn. As it is I've sold it on to a friend of Gavin's who is keen as mustard and who I'm sure will do the subject justice. Thanks for the advice and all the best, Gerry
Good News! <In a James May sort of voice>
All 14 mine have now been checked - 100% survival, just about the right level of stores left, no evidence of nosema, all looking feisty and pulling in some pollen...
I love this time of year...lots of plans and decisions to be made...
Seems to have been another good winter for bees. A lot of my nucs are over 4 or 5 frames which is great for this time of year.
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