Ivy coming in by the bucket full (photos)

[keith pierce]

Was down at the apairy at about 11 this morning.Nice bit of sunshine had warmed the apairy up, and the bees were so busy that they could hardly get throught the reduced winter entrance and you could smell the ivy coming into the hives. Huge amount of pollen coming into the hives and that's with over 50 colonies in the one apairy.I hope we get another week of this pollen crop, so that bees can put on their winter layer of fat.

 

[beeno]

Hi Keith,
Thanks for the pics. What is the contraption you have got in front of the hives to protect them and the funny wheel type entrance. Like to know when you have got a minute.

 

[E1M]

Hi Keith, we were at our association prize giving last evening followed by a question time with a panel of our well respected and experienced members.
My wife asked a question regarding Ivy, and was told by one of the panel that Ivy is NOT at all good, is sets solid and unless the bees have a good access to water it could be the death of a colony. It was suggested to supplement with feed so they have a choice and therefore would not perish.
However, another member of the panel stated that he just lets them get on with the Ivy, after all they have been bringing it in for a long long time and surely know what is good for them.
So, here we are, once again, confused of Cambridgeshire.

 

[biglongdarren]

its the same up the coast from you Keith,there going mental on the stuff.
great to see and smell.
hope you and your bees are doing well Darren.

 

[Luminos]

Fantastic pics, as always

 

[Lorenz]

GreAT PICS. What is a reduced Winter Entrance? I don't like the sound of that at all. If not careful a small entrance gets blocked up with dead bees. blocking in the others. Big entrance and mouseguard is the perfect combo isn't it?

 

[blackie]

Disc entrance you can buy them from p##ns

 

[Robbie & Jans Bees]

I have just come back from the orchard and my 8 hives are the same down here in south east cornwall they predict a good week next week so with a bit of luck we may be ok for the winter.

 

[BeeNice]

If you feed during the Ivy flow you should have a mixture of both syrup and Ivy, so, the Ivy honey should be more liquid and lest inclined to go solid. Just a thought. By the way Ivy here has been in flower for the past 4 weeks at least and is still going strong, plenty of pollen going in.
Steven

 

[Davelin]

If you feed during the Ivy flow you should have a mixture of both syrup and Ivy, so, the Ivy honey should be more liquid and lest inclined to go solid. Just a thought. By the way Ivy here has been in flower for the past 4 weeks at least and is still going strong, plenty of pollen going in.
Steven

Hmmmm Mine are so busy on the ivy they are totally ignoring the syrup in the feeder.

 

[beekim]

great pics. thanks.

 

[richardbees]

Keith
Thank you for those pics - as clear as always

It's continuing to be an unusual year - my bees are also out on the Ivy but they've nowhere to store it.

tbh I'd quite like a cold snap to get them settled down.

richard

 

[merlin65]

Same up here in N yorks, still taking a little feed as well

 

[keith pierce]

Hi Keith,
Thanks for the pics. What is the contraption you have got in front of the hives to protect them and the funny wheel type entrance. Like to know when you have got a minute.

I dont understand what you mean by contraption. The funny wheel type entrance is a revolving disc where you can close the in the bees, use it as a queen excluder or small holes for ventilation.

 

[keith pierce]

GreAT PICS. What is a reduced Winter Entrance? I don't like the sound of that at all. If not careful a small entrance gets blocked up with dead bees. blocking in the others. Big entrance and mouseguard is the perfect combo isn't it?

I reduce all my entrances to about 35mm, once i take the supers off to stop predation from wasps and never use mouse guards. i have only ever had 3 incidents of mice damge in 26 years and only once ever had a entrance blocked by dead bees. Its a personal choise.

 

[westart]

Fantastic pics. Any tips would be great!!!

Cheers Westy

 

[blackcavebees]

Always love your pics Keith. Did I hear you were speaking at the UBKA conference in March 2013?

 

[keith pierce]

Yes, i got talked into giving two lectures. One on Producing nuclei for loss replacement or sale and My queen rearing system so i had better make a start on them. Will i see you there.

 

[rockdoc]

Good point Beenice. Mine are on the ivy and taking down the thymol syrup. I know its an illusion, but I came away feeling they were all in fine health, thus making me feel more confident about the making it through winter.

 

[blackcavebees]

Yes, i got talked into giving two lectures. One on Producing nuclei for loss replacement or sale and My queen rearing system so i had better make a start on them. Will i see you there.

You will indeed, looking forward to it, and hearing about your queen rearing system