Soon to be beekeeper in Shropshire

[enrico]

Are you by any chance referring to the time I had two parts of a swarm on two branches, one in my left hand and one in my right, when I shook my right hand to drop the bees into the hive I subconsciously shook my left hand too, it was over my left wellie so all the bees on that branch went straight down the top, a few thousand bees in my wellie and only a couple of stings. I have to admit a small amount of panic at the time, but generally the dont fall down there. In fact I have found that the wider the top of the wellies the better as they don't trap any fallers against your leg.
E

 

[Swarm]

I was thinking more of the three hives that toppled I remember you saying that you stuffed your wellies with newspaper to go back and sort it out!!!

 

[enrico]

To be fair, after the three hive disaster, they didn't care whether they were going up or down as long as they could get me. That was a full telegraph paper day in every oraface and gaffer tape over any other area! Luckily no photograohs were taken. The smell of almonds will remain with me forever, oh what a hobby!!!!
E

 

[Longslowbaker]

Well 3 months later and I now have my own beehive. Last weekend the lovely Alison from ABC brought one colony from a split she made earlier.

They seem to be doing well and are feeding nicely. And this afternoon while looking at them from a distance I saw one worker coming home loading with pollen

I will give them a couple of week before opening the box to check how they settled in

 

[enrico]

If you see her again( Alison) toffees mum on here. Please tell her that her mentor sends his love.
A lovely woman with a heart of gold
You will now be obsessed with bees.... Good luck
E

 

[Longslowbaker]

@enrico: I should see her again in a couple of weeks hopefully. I will make sure to tell her.
She is indeed a very lovely person.

I am getting slightly obsessed with my bees now. Alison told me to leave the hive alone for a couple of weeks so I will but she never said that I can't go and watch them fly in and out....this is now my favourite time wasting activity

 

[enrico]

Thanks, good luck for the future
E

 

[Beagle23]

@enrico: I should see her again in a couple of weeks hopefully. I will make sure to tell her.
She is indeed a very lovely person.

I am getting slightly obsessed with my bees now. Alison told me to leave the hive alone for a couple of weeks so I will but she never said that I can't go and watch them fly in and out....this is now my favourite time wasting activity

At this time of year it's tempting to keep cracking open the hive to see what's happening.

Best advice I can give you as a new beekeeper is this. In my first year I was convinced I has purchased the bees from hell, it was only when I slowed down and relied on my instincts more than my studying that I really started to enjoy myself. Now apart from the occasional homicidal guard bee it's a always a pleasure. Slow down and think, because mistakes can become catastrophes if you rush.

Good luck and welcome aboard

 

[Longslowbaker]

I agree with you Beagle23. I have not opened the hive itself yet. Only lifted the roof to check that they have enough syrup. They don't actually seem to feed from it that much.

What I can see during my time wasting activity is a fair amount of bees coming in with pollen. I take that as a good sign that they like their new home

I am also checking what kind of pollen they are bringing back based on its colour. Not so much success with the shades of yellow but I have seen some grey pollen which is apparently either hazel or elder.

Considering elder flower are in full bloom at the moment I guess it must be elder

Exciting time!