New member in somerset

[Andy Chas]

Hi all
Just joined the forum, very much looking forward to learning loads from you all. I’m a new keeper, first overwintering of bees in 3 hives (hopefully!, signs are positive so far). Did the introductory course last year with the amazing people at North Somerset BKA, now on the improvers course with the aim of taking my Basic this summer.
Hope you’re all enjoying this mild patch and best wishes for the upcoming season!
Andy

 

[The Poot]

Hi all
Just joined the forum, very much looking forward to learning loads from you all. I’m a new keeper, first overwintering of bees in 3 hives (hopefully!, signs are positive so far). Did the introductory course last year with the amazing people at North Somerset BKA, now on the improvers course with the aim of taking my Basic this summer.
Hope you’re all enjoying this mild patch and best wishes for the upcoming season!
Andy

Nice one Andy, welcome.

 

[Penninetrader]

Did you get all 3 at same time or inherit, by the way,hi.

 

[Andy Chas]

Did you get all 3 at same time or inherit, by the way,hi.

Hi
I got a nuc in May, then got 2 swarms in June. No honey harvest from them last year but they seem to be coping so far with winter. They’ve been on fondant and there’s plenty of pollen coming in atm. Still managing to resist the temptation to look inside!
View attachment IMG_3733.mov

 

[Andy Chas]

Nice one Andy, welcome.

Thankyou!

 

[Penninetrader]

2 swarms in your first season, that is some marker. Clearly your training and mentoring has paid off handsomely, how many are you aiming for ?

 

[Andy Chas]

2 swarms in your first season, that is some marker. Clearly your training and mentoring has paid off handsomely, how many are you aiming for ?

Well I don’t want to run before I can walk and obvs have lots to learn, but I’m comfortable with going up to a dozen. Plan for this year is to look after these 3, with preventative swarm control that may double them to 6? I’d like to have some Nucs through next winter so will be looking at nuc splits later this year (3 or 4?) and I’m happy to keep some swarms if they present themselves so 12 seems possible but it’ll be up to the bees really!
And yes North Somerset BKA have been outstanding, can’t recommend them highly enough.