IvyWatch UK and Ireland

[TryingToLetThemBee]

At last the Ivy in my garden is in full bloom - was a little warmer here today and my girls had found it ... lovely to see - only about 25 yards from the hives so I watched a steady procession of bees going back and forth - not wasting a single flap of their wings. Breezy conditions were giving a few bees some interesting times...

So odd; I think of you as being pretty well on an isotherm and it's been open for several weeks here.

 

[pargyle]

So odd; I think of you as being pretty well on an isotherm and it's been open for several weeks here.

Yes ... it's weird .. so much later than last year - I can't see any reason for it although somehow it has to be weather related ... I was trying to compare last year's weather with this year in our area and the big difference was a really cold wet August this year and by the beginning of October last year we had had one really cold snap - perhaps that was what set the Ivy back this year or the cold snap brought it on earlier last year ???

We do have a bit of a microclimate in the Costa del Fareham .. protected from the worst weather to the South by the IOW and to the North and East by Portsdown Hill - The worst weather for us comes from the South West which tends to be wet and windy but not generally that cold.

 

[biglongdarren]

just in from a walk with the spot lamp and the ivy is dripping with nectar,it is shining with the stuff and sitting thick on it, the wood lice are having a great time on it too .


Darren

 

[Spikedog]

Finally, it has decided to blossom this weekend. Not a great display as some have reported - the cold apparently impacting. However, bees are laden with pollen. We had already delivered a second winter feed as hives were getting light. Perhaps this will be the last report for the season - if so - "out."

 

[mbc]

Going round today and the hives had put on, and we're putting on, a lot of weight from the ivy, the first time this year I've noticed the smell being almost overwhelming. Strongest flow of the year, typical! I half considered supering up some colonies but dismissed it once I'd had a think and decided I had no real use for supers solid with ivy honey, rank stuff for human consumption imho.

 

[Tom Jay]

Yesterday, Tuesday 10th November, and my bees were out in force at 8.30am. I watched one expanse of Ivy in flower and noticed that the bees spent quite a while skipping from head to head before stopping a while, which presumably means that most of the flowers there no longer secreting, but they were still getting some.

 

[beeno]

Yesterday, Tuesday 10th November, and my bees were out in force at 8.30am. I watched one expanse of Ivy in flower and noticed that the bees spent quite a while skipping from head to head before stopping a while, which presumably means that most of the flowers there no longer secreting, but they were still getting some.

I keep wondering about that too as many bees out flying and seem to be heavy with something. However, they are also out collecting water, so it is a difficult one.

 

[Erichalfbee]

How many of us have fondant on?

 

[BrianO]

How many of us have fondant on?

Was just pondering that today, hefted all hives some light, but frantic activity coming and going with pollen and nectar.

Good Ivy amounts local in flower and more still in bud, though forecast colder and stormy.

Think Sunday ok'ish here so will check again and probably add fondant to some as deemed necessary.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Was just pondering that today, hefted all hives some light, but frantic activity coming and going with pollen and nectar.

Good Ivy amounts local in flower and more still in bud, though forecast colder and stormy.

Think Sunday ok'ish here so will check again and probably add fondant to some.

Well...all I can say is that hives should be winter prepped by now and any other chatter about mediterranean temperatures in November should be just that.
No more checks....
If you can't keep away....... put a deckchair up, lay a copy of Storch in your lap, pour a glass of decent Pinotage and watch for a while.

 

[BrianO]

No... It ain't over till the Fat Ivy Sings !!!

Prefer to see the return from the Ivy, going strong now, and then add fondant as necessary

 

[nantmoel]

I brought a hive home from an out apiary as I was concerned about the weight of it, it was on a national brood and half, I carried it with ease. I started feeding it with syrup and fed it 6 pints, then the Ivy started to blossom and within a week when I 'hefted' it I could only just about lift it. They have been working it as if it was summer when the weather permits. There are still loads here in tight bud so there is still loads to come, we have two weeks of rain but today looks a little brighter so fingers crossed. Thank god for this late source of pollen and nectar.

 

[Swarm]

Thank god for this late source of pollen and nectar.

Isn't Mother Nature clever?

 

[Tom Jay]

How many of us have fondant on?

Found my bees on freshly opened ivy flowers today.
No fondant on my hives. When I harvested mid September I found unsealed frames in supers which I have left on, as well as well stocked frames in the brood boxes, so I fed them thick syrup but not huge quantities. Since then plenty of foraging on the HB as well as the Ivy.

I must get into the hefting game. I've not even tried it yet - apart from 'hefting' brood box frames on a warm October day and finding them very pleasingly heavy!

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Thank god for this late source of pollen and nectar.

Isn't Mother Nature clever?

She is - thank God for that

 

[Swarm]

 

[Karsal]

Out In Force Today

Had a quick look at my bees today. Twelve degrees at lunchtime and bees out in force as if it was a summers day. Lots of pollen going in.
Weather deteriorated late afternoon. There must be lots of ivy around my apiary where exactly I don't know. Hefted one hive and surprised to feel how heavy its become over the last few weeks. They have not taken much syrup so I've left them alone and will put fondant on if needed.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Like a summer's day here - pashing doon and high winds all day

 

[nantmoel]

Like a summer's day here - pashing doon and high winds all day

I spoke too soon! It ended up terrible - and I waited in all day for a `Radial Arm Saw' to be delivered! it came at 5:20 grrrrrrrrr

 

[pargyle]

I spoke too soon! It ended up terrible - and I waited in all day for a `Radial Arm Saw' to be delivered! it came at 5:20 grrrrrrrrr

Ahhh ... But one of the best bits of kit you will ever buy.... somewhat out of fashion these days but it's so useful in what they will do and once set up they are so accurate ... You won't know how you managed without one !