heather watch

[peterbees]

Do you heather honey aficionados ask anyone's permission to put the hives on the moors? Or just plonk em there?

Always ask permission.

 

[BeeJayBee]

someone has control over the land -

Do you have to apply for heather permits, same as in Hampshire?

 

[protheroe]

Do you have to apply for heather permits, same as in Hampshire?

There's a number of farms right up to the edge of the heather by jbm and most people put hives there including me.one guy came from oxford last year.

 

[daroco]

Beginning to open on the moor I've put hives on in Derbyshire

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Do you have to apply for heather permits, same as in Hampshire?

no

 

[Briarfield]

Went passed our BKA Heather site today to see as I was nearby.

Very depressing. Ling has 1 or 2% flowering, Bell flowering well.

At least two week to wait??

 

[maddydog]

Went passed our BKA Heather site today to see as I was nearby.

Can't quite tell from the photos, any chance of an approximate location?

 

[Briarfield]

No problem.

North East of the N Yorks Moors in upper reaches of the Esk Valley.

 

[maddydog]

No problem.

North East of the N Yorks Moors in upper reaches of the Esk Valley.

Know it well, thank you

 

[preyingmantos]

looks like there is a decent spell of weather heading our way. Bumper heather crop perhaps?

 

[andyphibb]

Good evening all, I have been offered to take a few hives down to Fishguard, West Wales for the heather. As I don't know the area very well was just wondering how much heather there is in the area.Thanks in advance.

 

[Erichalfbee]

If that offer had been made to me I'd be straight over to have a look

 

[maddydog]

Just come back from taking five colonies onto the staff moors. Plenty of heather in bloom, here's hoping to a decent flow and weather

 

[Swarm]

Good evening all, I have been offered to take a few hives down to Fishguard, West Wales for the heather. As I don't know the area very well was just wondering how much heather there is in the area.Thanks in advance.

There's plenty much closer to you, Blaenafon or the mountain road to Maerdy?

 

[andyphibb]

There is a bit of a story to this. A neighbour of mine was left three hives and some equipment by a mate of his that used to keep them down West on his land, So he brought the home to aberdare so I could show him the ropes, he's doing ok now so wants to take two of his hives along with two of ours as he was talking to a local beekeeper and he had said the heather was good down there.

 

[peterbees]

I've been walking in the mountains above the Conwy Valley today. Ling heather looking great. Good weather is forecast for the rest of August. Ground is full of moisture.
My bees at home, a mile from the nearest heather, have a good aroma of heather honey.
It could be a heather honey year to remember.

 

[sariraven]

I've been walking in the mountains above the Conwy Valley today. Ling heather looking great. Good weather is forecast for the rest of August. Ground is full of moisture.
My bees at home, a mile from the nearest heather, have a good aroma of heather honey.
It could be a heather honey year to remember.

I hope so...
My hives are 0.3 mile from a small patch and there's a lot of ling about a mile away. I've had bees for 4 years and they've never filled a super after the middle of August. Do you think I should move the bees closer? Or could it be the dreadful August's we've had recently?

 

[peterbees]

I hope so...
My hives are 0.3 mile from a small patch and there's a lot of ling about a mile away. I've had bees for 4 years and they've never filled a super after the middle of August. Do you think I should move the bees closer? Or could it be the dreadful August's we've had recently?

No need to move closer. My hives at home are over a mile from heather, and they will work the heather in a good year.

 

[peterbees]

See my notes on Heather Honey Beekeeping here http://tinyurl.com/n4xeq4b

 

[sariraven]

Thanks - good article ��