Weather

[Poly Hive]

I have no wish to prick balloons but there are some huge plans being made it seems and the problem is our old and very "dear" friend the UK weather.

It is cold here this morning and drizzling fit for a funeral. Last night was 3C and today it feels about the same.

Are they expanding merrily? They are clawing their way against adversity I would suggest.

The UK weather dominates our beekeeping and it is a wise beeperson who keeps that firmly in mind.

PH

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Got up this morning to a hard and heavy frost, all water outside frozen solid - it was gone 10 am before the sun managed to thaw out the lawn -
Ideal for doing a thorough inspection 'spring clean' (whatever that's supposed to mean) slap a super on and conduct a shook swarm to give all colonies a much needed boost.

Think I'll just have another cup of tea.

 

[biglongdarren]

My bees have been flying most mornings all week from around 8 onwards, not an air here today and sunny. Have yet to open them, just happy to let them get on with what ever they're doing.Was starting to forget what nice weather felt like.
Darren

 

[nantmoel]

Loverly day here, as JBM mentioned a very heavy frost to start with. I may well change two cover boards to clear ones a little later.

 

[Pete D]

Just making the most of the long winter to catch up on my jobs I should of done months ago.
Opening any hives is furthest from my mind, did heft some yesterday though.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Just making the most of the long winter to catch up on my jobs I should of done months ago.
Opening any hives is furthest from my mind,

Funnily enough - same here - been too cold and damp all winter to make a few hours in the shed pleasurable - don't mind being out there if it's just cold - that's what thermals are for!

 

[pargyle]

Not freezing overnight but only 2 degrees when I got home from work at just after midnight .. cloudy and cold on the Costa del Fareham this morning. That blocking high over the North and Scandinavia would be lovely if it was summer - but it ain't and what we are now getting is that cooler arctic air circulating clockwise and coming down from the North so - we'll only be seeing temperatures firmly in single figures for most of us for the next few days. Not great beekeeping weather I would suggest ... JBM has the right idea .. make a cuppa and read a book.

 

[Tom Bick]

Way to cold for me also, although yesterday was decent. It's the time of year it can be cold one day and nice and warm the next. I know someone who shook swarmed all his hives three weeks ago.

 

[Ely]

March sunny days are for long awaited walks in the countryside.

 

[madasafish]

Bunch of soft wusses...

 

[Smudger55]

Got up this morning to a hard and heavy frost, all water outside frozen solid - it was gone 10 am before the sun managed to thaw out the lawn -
Ideal for doing a thorough inspection 'spring clean' (whatever that's supposed to mean) slap a super on and conduct a shook swarm to give all colonies a much needed boost.

Think I'll just have another cup of tea.

I thought you would like to do a quick shook swarm as weather is lovely right now ......

 

[snelgrove]

no harm changing floorboards this time of year in fact ts easier with no bees flying. Other than that apart from feeding where necessary do nothing.
No frost here and a some sunny spells afternoon but cold still, bees flying and bringing in pollen and water..

 

[REDWOOD]

I'm slightly lower down the valley than JBM, well below the windmills anyway, no frost today, glorious sunshine for the last ten days although a cool easterly wind keeping temps down, bees have been flying every day and pollen coming in on most. I still think it's too cold for a full inspection. the last time we had a dry March like this was 2011 that turned out to be quite a bad summer but we should be accustomed to British weather by now and being British we just get on with it.

 

[Hivemaker.]

the last time we had a dry March like this was 2011 that turned out to be quite a bad summer

The last time here was 2012, and a mini heat wave along with it, then it started raining on the 1st of April and carried on raining until late July.

 

[snelgrove]

we get on with it but talk about it all the time

 

[snelgrove]

The last time here was 2012, and a mini heat wave along with it, then it started raining on the 1st of April and carried on raining until late July.

Yes remember that, it was a bad summer

 

[REDWOOD]

What's the old saying, make hay when the sun shines

 

[Swarm]

2011 was not much of a Summer but was one of my better years, 2012 as a washout.

 

[peteinwilts]

the last time we had a dry March like this was 2011 that turned out to be quite a bad summer but we should be accustomed to British weather by now and being British we just get on with it.

don't worry! Easter bank holiday is due and therefore can expect rain!

 

[Erichalfbee]

Or snow....the year I moved to Cumbria....2008....we had snow for easter.
It's getting colder again.