pollen colours

[rockdoc]

Today, in this amazing weather (17c at 2pm), all but one of my hives were bringing in dirty white, orange and brown pollen. The most active was the one with no pollen coming in. Not sure whats going on there, doesn't look like robbing and the stores are good. Will just have to wait for later to do an inspection. Too soon at the moment despite this weather. Wonder if we are up for a record temp today somewhere in the SE.

 

[AnotherNewBee]

My car is claiming around 12.5C in North Dorset. Warm enough for me to think about doing some outdoor work.

 

[susbees]

No pollen...bringing in water and chomping stores.

Orange probably snowdrop. Have a play with the Sheffield Beeks' pollen chart for the others (helps a bit if your monitor is colour-calibrated). Ours are back on the gorse. They were shooting past the field hay rack when feeding the sheep.

 

[justme]

Fairly warm down here (thermometer trodden on by heavyweight) but foggy and damp feeling in 3 of my apiaries with drizzle at one of these. Bees out and about at all though (except the Iti's). The other one was a bit drier with bees working camellia half a spits distance from the hives.

 

[BeeNice]

Just to add my tuppence worth, bees on the allotment like a summers day, about 12 degrees and pollen of brown yellow and pale yellow going in. Bees very active, good to see as this is the hive I would like to requeen the others from.
steven

 

[Monsieur Abeille]

No pollen...bringing in water and chomping stores.

Probably a daft question, but how can you tell they are bringing in water - is it anything more than seeing them by puddles?

 

[Mymwood]

Mine are also very active in this sun. Three hives, all bringing in a lot of bright orange and yellow pollen. I came on here for any tip as to where they are getting pollen in Feb? Crocus maybe? Snowdrops?

 

[Cazza]

Mine are also very active in this sun. Three hives, all bringing in a lot of bright orange and yellow pollen. I came on here for any tip as to where they are getting pollen in Feb? Crocus maybe? Snowdrops?

Definately from both sources if you have them nearby. You might also see a paler yellow from Hazel.
Cazza

 

[Swarm]

Willow, Snowdrop, Crocus, Helebore, Gorse.

Isn't Hazel more green in colour?

 

[Cazza]

Willow, Snowdrop, Crocus, Helebore, Gorse.

Isn't Hazel more green in colour?

Not in my garden it isn't!! I was watching them working Hazel this afternoon, definately pale yellow. Perhaps there are varietal differences?
Cazza

 

[Dave /Oscroft]

Temps

It was registaring 16/17 degrees on the thermometer here near Chester today, bees from all six hives flying and bringing in some pollen, some were gathering water, its good to know all's well at the mo.

Dave W

 

[For want of a better word]

white pollen... as white as the balsam !

Is that the Beauty of Kashmir that lies drooping its head?

 

[wightbees]

My Nuc was working very hard at getting a long bit of cling film out the door.
Must of took them a while by the looks of it.

 

[Swarm]

Heh, yup. A good sign they've taken their fondant.