A Two Week Increase.

[Dishmop]

First pic taken on 21st March.

2nd today 5th Apil.



and a lot of them are out flying...

 

[Minxpinx]

Wow!

 

[La Folie]

Warm weather and plenty of forage. Build up is a lot quicker than last year

 

[Dishmop]

Warm weather and plenty of forage. Build up is a lot quicker than last year

I dont think the queen was even laying at this time last year.

 

[Tom Bick]

Is it the bottom of the cells shining in the top photo or were you feeding syrup

 

[Dishmop]

Is it the bottom of the cells shining in the top photo or were you feeding syrup

Its honey. They've start to cap some of it right at the top of the frame.


Havent fed them.

 

[Tom Bick]

I have forgotten how many frames you have in your observation hive is it four with it two frames deep. I will be making one soon, a public one in a park in Ealing eight frame but only one deep and will only be in use during the summer.

 

[Dishmop]

I have forgotten how many frames you have in your observation hive is it four with it two frames deep. I will be making one soon, a public one in a park in Ealing eight frame but only one deep and will only be in use during the summer.

4 deep frames.. 2 up 2 down.

Go for the sliding glass/frame method and not hinged doors..

As you have the space why not consider a 2 frame wide one as an experiment to see how well they will build sideways and also one or two frames without foundation so people can see them building comb.

 

[Tom Bick]

The hive is going to be placed in an enclosure a sort of shed without a roof and the entrance within the enclosure. The outside will have two self closing doors, soft close, and behind them a piece of safety glass and the observation hive behind that. The rear will be accessed through a locked door and the rear of the observation hive will have a a solid outer lockable blackout door and two glazed doors behind to open the hive. There is allocation for feeding and ventilation. On the outside there will be information boards and QR code directing people to even more information. Within the park there will also be three hives within their own space and in a walled garden. I help out the group that have the bees and will be involved in the observation hive and looking forward to it but a bit worried the bees just won't take to it.

 

[Dishmop]

I can visualise what you describe because I have seen such a thing on google image search...

I used to cover my hive at night and during the winter but found it didnt need to be.

The only time the bees react to any light is when I revolve the hive and the ones which have been facing the wall then run towards the light from the window which the hive is next to. I just turn it back slightly and they calm down.
I think that if outside it might be best to install something like fence panels as baffles against too much bright light and sun, but but but......playtime really.
A top entrance thro a tube, protected or angled to stop rain entering, would mean that the public would not be in their flight path.
I have seen pics of a hive with entrance and exit tubes........
Something else you might consider is the use of double glazed units from old window frames..

Another interesting one I saw is a hive made with glass just on one side and the hive is placed outside on a window sill.....

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=observation+beehive&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=mkFBU4WQN4KAhAehzYCYDw&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAQ&biw=1011&bih=604

 

[Dishmop]

Some interesting things in this book but I dont see that its worth £30.

I paid about £6 for the one I have.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/The-Observation-Hive-Book-1978-beekeeping-bee-keeping-history-hive-construction-/380876442086?pt=Antiquarian_Books_UK&hash=item58ae0149e6

 

[masterBK]

The author Karl (still complete with his amazing beard) although now getting on in years is still alive. If you contact him you might be able to buy a signed copy from him.

 

[mbc]

The author Karl (still complete with his amazing beard) although now getting on in years is still alive. If you contact him you might be able to buy a signed copy from him.

I met a friend of his on Saturday, apparently his eyes have now gone too far for independent living and he now resides in a care home in Brecon. I fondly remember meeting him at a skep workshop many many years ago when I was a teenager and he remembered our chat years later when we met again. Top bloke