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Something odd with their email I think, I got 9 emails in quick succession about the species results from one sample (June 22) ..... Simon

Brief update, quick look today and there's a laying queen in there, now the journey really starts! Simon

They were found by the young (5ish) granddaughter of our customer, so my (wishful) hope would be to give her some honey from them (well their sisters) next year! Simon

Thanks, that's my plan Already got 5 frames and top feeder for my Apidea so no cost and more interesting than learning to whistle dixy in Arabic backwards. Simon

Well I've popped them in a mating nucleus, will add a few more bees, then wait and see if there's a queen and if so is she mated, will she get mated? Simon

If they are still there tomorrow that's my plan, any tips welcome. Thinking Apidea, maybe extra insulation. Simon

Just been sent this photo by a honey customer. Tiny cluster of bees hanging off a single rose flower. Any thoughts, absconded mating nuc maybe? Simon

These are useful for leaving the smaller bucket tipped up to let it drain into the receiving tapped bucket. Honey Bucket Rack Bucket Holder Simon

Radio 4 reporting the hives have been recovered and complete with bees. Found 'hidden' 3 miles away. Simon

It looks about the same size as mine, which takes two shallows side by side, it's a bit of a pain getting them in and out, or one deep. I recently bought one of these from Thornes which takes 9 frames radially, much easier. Obviously check the size. Nine Frame Universal Radial Cage Simon

Agree, checked with the ObsIdentify app which I have to say is really good (not perfect) with plants, insects etc

A word of caution, check hard for a queen on the frame(s) of bees you are going to add before doing this. I recently got a frame to shake in, having isolated "The Queen" in the donor hive. On returning to check the receiving hive I found two dead queens, the original receiving hive marked queen...

Putting the predicted debate to one side, what are the best guesses for when another swarm will emerge? Simon

While volunteering at local nature reserve the feral colony in the wall of the visitor centre (which I’m planning to try and trap out shortly) swarmed. I was at the far end of the reserve when I got the call. When I got back the bees had all gone back in. Strange I thought, can’t be a clipped...

I use the TouchNTuff 92-605 Disposable Nitrile Gloves. I have a similar problem of sweaty hands but find wearing cotton stockinet gloves (not the moisturising type) underneath helps soak the sweat up and makes them easier to put on. Gloves Simon

Looks like black bryony to me. It is poisonous to humans (apart from young shoots), don't know about dogs. Dioscorea communis - Wikipedia Simon

Not that it matters to me, but that's not what others suggested earlier. Simon

Not sure if this was decided, if not my local BKA Facebook page has a report of a swarm yesterday, with photos, North Yorkshire. Simon

Nice summary of the research here with an easy reference chart. Plants for bees: 6yr study — rosybee - plants for bees Simon

Our Tawny Owl box had Mandarin Ducks two years ago, Stock Doves last year and it looks like Jackdaws this year. A Tawny Owl did visit briefly a few times but the box is clearly not up to scratch! The Jackdaws cleared out all the sawdust I’d put in for the owls, and keep bringing sticks in, and...