Bees in Cornwall

[sainfoin]

Getting quite worried seeing others talking of bees flying and bringing in pollen as the temps here are mostly below 5C and glimpses of even a handful of flying bees is a rare event. How are others faring in this area?
While I was gardening yesterday, first time this year, a giant bumblebee came working by, do you think their hairy bodies enable them to cope with lower temperatures? As if bees are not fascinating enough I'm starting to get really interested in bumbles, need a faster camera so I can check which variety is out about.

 

[enrico]

There is a bumblebee identification thingy where they track which bumbles are where and you send photos in and when and where you saw them and they reply with an identification. If you are interested I will send you the address or just google it
E

 

[Bob Bee]

Getting quite worried seeing others talking of bees flying and bringing in pollen as the temps here are mostly below 5C and glimpses of even a handful of flying bees is a rare event. How are others faring in this area?
While I was gardening yesterday, first time this year, a giant bumblebee came working by, do you think their hairy bodies enable them to cope with lower temperatures? As if bees are not fascinating enough I'm starting to get really interested in bumbles, need a faster camera so I can check which variety is out about.

Only occasional cleansing flights at the moment, but had a good deal of flying bees and pollen coming in when the sun came out just before the cold snap, don't worry, its perfectly normal here. We have generally mild winters and week to week variations between 3 degree and 10 degree daytime temps, shelter and sunshine make a huge difference too.
The bumblebee conservation trust is packed full of useful info on bumblebees and their fur coats.

 

[beeno]

Hi Sainfoin,
I know what you mean, but in those temps they won't fly. It has been colder in the south of late and I have found that my bees are often a day behind weatherwise of what has been reported on the forum for foraging. My PH in the shade pretty lifeless yday at 9C whilst hives by brick wall at a steamy 20C on the thermometer were very busy. Such a difference in micro climate just in my garden!

 

[sarlyka]

I'm in East Cornwall and my bees are out on cleansing flights and occasionally bringing in pollen. The hives are in the sun though and the bees go back indoors as soon as the sunshine goes.

 

[Stiffy]

Getting quite worried seeing others talking of bees flying and bringing in pollen as the temps here are mostly below 5C and glimpses of even a handful of flying bees is a rare event. How are others faring in this area?
While I was gardening yesterday, first time this year, a giant bumblebee came working by, do you think their hairy bodies enable them to cope with lower temperatures? As if bees are not fascinating enough I'm starting to get really interested in bumbles, need a faster camera so I can check which variety is out about.

Located in SW of Duchy.
Bees out in force today but have been quiet for last few weeks. As I am sure you know we have our own weather conditions down here and I am sure yours will be fine and will make their presence known when weather warms up.

I would recommend the Field Studies Council guide to bees really worth the price (cheap (ish)
http://www.field-studies-council.org/publications/pubs/guide-to-bees-of-britain.aspx
All the best
S

 

[For want of a better word]

Saw a Brimstone butterfly this morning... Bright sunshine for last few days in the Tamar Valley... temps today 15% in sheltered apiary

AMMs have been flying and bringing in pollen for last few weeks... in fact whenever it has not been hammering down with rain!

New Zealands ( A m lingusta[/I]) been out in sun today
Carniolians at another apiary further to the West were clustered... ear to the hives and I could hear them!
Despite being accommodated in polly hives and in one of the best and most sheltered spots in Cornwall my friends expensively bought in Buckfasts West of Bodmin were apparently sulking.... too cold for them to venture out!

So the answer is don't worry... the bees know best !!!

Good luck