First inspection of the year!

[TOBY-3652]

Inspected on Saturday in 17 degrees and sunny. Now I know it is early in the year and I know there is not supposed to be any nectar about, but the bees don't. Five frames of BIAS in one hive and 6 frames in the other. Both lots building comb and putting nectar in it. They have been up in the fruit blossom. Perhaps that's where the nectar is from.

soon be time to super these up i would think

 

[Dishmop]

Nice that the weather is good and lots of people have been looking inside as well.
Still hoping someone will tell me its normal not to see any eggs, brood etc

Its still very early in the year yet.
Last year I didnt have any until May....

If the weather you have been having is up and down that might slow them down.

How often have they been out and about?

 

[alldigging]

Put an inspection board in for 24 hours and have a look at what they're doing from that.

Regular watching of the hive entrance between 11-2 will give you an idea of new bees coming out and doing orientation flights. Time does vary according to the weather. I am fortunate I can see my hives almost as often as I want.

Hefting .. Or perhaps weighing is another non invasive process.

You don't need to look inside to have an idea of what is happening. It's not as much fun as opening it up, but if you're worried about unsealing all that propolis before a last bust of winter ther is an alternative.

 

[Margaret Elisabeth]

The temperature here is very variable but for three days we have had reasonable warmth in the middle of the day and bees are flying some to my pond for water and some bringing in pollen so I reckon they are getting ready for the new season but I have only lifted the top to maker sure they were ok up to now. I don't see the sense in disturbing them just as they are getting going again.

 

[Dusty Rhodes]

Leave well alone I reckon, apart from checking stores & feeding.

Other than that, if they've got this far, they know what they're doing.
If not, not.

It's going to get chilly again.

Dusty

 

[yellowrage 53]

Nice that the weather is good and lots of people have been looking inside as well.
Still hoping someone will tell me its normal not to see any eggs, brood etc

when did you have your hive's ?