End of a flow

[LeaBees]

Beginner question, but what should be expected at the end of a flow period?
With Hawthorn seemingly going over and activity around the hives seems to be much reduced, do the bees continue the production/capping of honey or start consuming the nectar they have stored? Is that what happens in the much read about June gap?

Or will there always be something for them to forage on during the period, just not as plentiful?
Thanks

 

[pargyle]

Beginner question, but what should be expected at the end of a flow period?
With Hawthorn seemingly going over and activity around the hives seems to be much reduced, do the bees continue the production/capping of honey or start consuming the nectar they have stored? Is that what happens in the much read about June gap?

Or will there always be something for them to forage on during the period, just not as plentiful?
Thanks

Depends where you are and what the local forage is ... some places like parts of East Anglia only have the OSR and then ... sometimes... nothing. In most areas where there is mixed forage there will be flows as something really productive for bees comes into blossom and then they will be looking at what else is available - sometimes it will be another goof flow crop - sometimes it wlll just be a variety of plants that provide them with subsistence forage. Like I said - depends where you keep your bees. The June gap (in some places) is a period of real shortage of forage and, yes, they will eat ths stores they have put away.

 

[peteinwilts]

Sometimes there is no June gap as the weather plays a curveball.

We definately had a May gap this year in these parts!

 

[Swarm]

Most of April too.

 

[gmonag]

Very little OSR in E Anglia this year.

 

[Katherine]

Get out and about in your area and see what is in flower. Plant as many nectar plants as you can fit in your own garden.